Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Chapter 9

   Christmas Eve was tonight and John had many things to get done.  He had
purchased a Santa suit and was ready to pose as the fat man for the
orphans. That for him was a new job and one he looked forward to.  The wig
and beard looked real and was nicely fitted to him.  That was his job in
the morning even before his families gift giving.  They all would eat
breakfast with the children and then go up to their private time together.

   Tonight there was a singing of Christmas carols at the park in the
square.  The theater was running a movie about Christmas for families to
take the children.  Hot spiced cider, roasted nuts and hot chocolate were
being served outside tonight.  Lights had been place all over the park for
the holidays and would all be on tonight.

   This was a very different way of celebrating for everyone here.  The
goal had been to pull the people even closer together.  They needed to feel
a part of one very big family.  It did seem to be working as each step
happened.  But this pulling together was slow going as new people were
added.

   Kelly was having a blast, as was Dana.  This was a period of time
neither had experienced this way.  They had enjoyed Christmas, but never
with the amount of events and things going on like here.  Both got to know
a lot of people and found they liked them.  The nice side was people really
liked both girls as well.

   As the three walked the park and drank cider or chocolate they just
enjoyed being together.  It was really cold and everyone had dressed for
that.  The children from the orphanage were just beyond themselves with the
magical beauty of this park tonight.  Once the singing was over they were
all going to the movies.  That was something most had never done before.

   "John this is a real treat for the kids.  I have not seen them this
excited over anything before.  People here are stopping them introducing
themselves and hugging them.  They are feeling more love than ever before."
This was bringing tears to Sandy's eyes now.

   Dana held Sandy and patted her back.  "There is a lot of love here Sandy
and it all starts with the man I'm married to.  So just enjoy it as I am
sure the children are."

   The singing took just over an hour's time and then people walked, talked
or went to the movie.  Kids were playing and running every which way now.
They had preformed their part as each class had done two songs.  The people
were singing with the classes that were small to help provide volume.

   John walked the girls back to their home and they all sat before the
tree.  "You know it has really stayed nice daddy.  But moving it from the
warmth in here to the cold outside might kill it."

   "That will not happen sugar.  It will not just get dumped outside.  Once
the decorations are off men will come get it and start the process of
getting ready to replant it.  So you just have to decide where that will be
come spring and just how it will be marked for the year it was a Christmas
tree."

   "Where will next years tree come from?"

   "I bought a tree farm just down the road from the valleys.  It went
broke and the bank took it over.  So my bank bought it from the one that
had it.  I hired the man and his family to run the farm.  The land is petty
well protected from the backside, so we are the area where it would be
vulnerable.  I did not know it but the road running by here stops there. 
They will supply trees to us each year and plant more as needed.  But it is
also a beautiful area and well fenced.  So security is raising horses there
as well.  We just need a few hundred trees each year and not thousands like
they had to produce before."

   The Christmas music running in the background had been soothing to them.
But tomorrow would start early.  So they hugged and kissed Kelly then
headed off to bed.

   Dana was in a mood and John could feel it.  He did not understand what
it was, but she had pulled back into a shell.  He waited in bed for her to
finish in the bathroom and come back to the bedroom.

   Once she crawled in to the bed he pulled her close to him and started
kissing this beautiful creature.  Whatever had been bothering her just
seemed to melt away.  She responded with a passion and the world just faded
from their view.

   As his hands danced over her body she went places she never knew
existed. While sucking on her nipple, his fingers were dancing over or
around her love button and driving her wild.  He let her have several
climaxes before holding back.  Bringing her close to an orgasm and slowing
down.  He did this for around half an hour and she was ready to explode
when he mounted her.  The feeling of his manhood sliding deep inside her
just made her blow up.  Then every few strokes she went nuts once more. 
There must have been a dozen orgasms before he finally came inside her.

   "I never knew this could ever feel so good John."

   "It does only with the right person my darling.  There is making love
and fucking.  I like to make love to you and give you as much pleasure as
possible.  That in itself gives me pleasure.  Fucking is done just for one
person's satisfaction and is not something I enjoy."

   "For sure you're my right person and I love you."

   They snuggled together and dropped off to sleep.  The alarm jolted John
out of a nice dream.  He slowly got up and shut it off.  Stumbling into the
bathroom he took his leak and hit the shower.  He felt hands on his back
just a couple minutes later.  "How about me washing your back?"

   "I smelled coffee when I got up, so I know Mrs.  Minch is here.  Santa
needs to get dressed and down to that coffee.  Then ready to handle the
kids."

   They dried off and got dressed and as they walked down the hall Kelly
showed up.  "Boy do you look good in that outfit daddy.  The children will
be really happy to see you."

   "You and mommy are my helpers today.  So don't think your going to get
off easy."

   She laughed, but it excited her to be involved with daddy in this.  The
kids were not going to know it was daddy as good as the suit, wig and beard
were.  He looked just like that jolly old man in every movie she had seen.

   Mrs.  Minch was impressed as well.  "Boss you look just like that old
man.  The kids will be impressed."

   "Now here is the plan for passing out presents.  There are twelve
presents for each child.  This controller is set to light a small LCD light
on each gift by when it should be given.  All the gifts with lights must be
passed out before the next one can be lighted.  Be sure to push on the
light once you hand it out to shut it down.  There will be thirty three
gifts each time with lights and they include the girls.  Once everyone has
opened their gift the next set of lights will be turned on."

   "What can I do to help John?"

   "You have breakfast detail don't you?"

   "No I will be sure it is ready on time, but I wanted to watch this."

   "In that case you be sure that all gifts to be given, are found for each
round.  It is possible one light may fail."

   Santa and his helpers got to the tree in the lounge before the children
were dressed and out here yet.  A large chair was set up for Santa close to
the tree.  Marked places on the floor and two seats were in place for the
children, Sandy and Krystal.

   Once seated the children came in and the little ones ran to Santa.  They
all got their hug and were directed to sit on the floor, in the box that
had their name.  Kelly and Dana had done well placing the pictures to
names. They helped get them in the right place.

   Santa told them he had brought many gifts for them and wanted to be sure
they got them due to their move.  So he had saved them this year to be
last, this way he could be here and watch.

   The first presents were lighted and passed out quickly.  Sandy and
Krystal were shocked they were given a gift.  When they saw the Ipods they
had it was beyond belief.

   As the morning went on clothing, jewelry, electronics and toys were
passed out to the children as well as Sandy and Krystal.  The piles of
presents were high at each location.  Santa wished them a merry Christmas
and headed home.

   John, Kelly, Dana and the group headed to breakfast, as soon as John got
there.  It was the best Christmas these children had ever had.  It caused
excitement like Sandy or Krystal had never seen.

   Sandy walked over to John and Danna and hugged him.  "John I have never
been treated that way before at Christmas or any other time.  Mother hated
it, but the church when they were involved made it at least acceptable for
the children.  But it was like Krystal and I were a part of your family."

   "Sandy the two of you and these children are part of my family.  I could
never enjoy Christmas if you, Krystal and the kids did not."

   After tears and hugs from the two girls and many hugs from the children
they left.  Once seated in the kitchen with coffee and tea for Kelly they
tried to get back to normal.

   "I think it is time to show mommy what is out in that new building
Kelly. What do think about that?"

   "I am not sure she is ready for that yet.  But we did buy most of it in
Roanoke on our trip.  So may be we should let her see it?"

   Now the interest was really up for Dana.  "Don't be pains in the butt
you guys."

   They leaded her out to the building and walked in.  The skylights allow
for good vision and she was yelling at both of them.  "God this is our own
pool?"

   "Yes, but if you look over there that is what Kelly decided she wanted
to buy you."

   The hot tub was big enough to handle at least six people.  "How did you
get one so big that is above ground?"

   "The girl made me look until we found one."

   "What is that at the end of the pool?"

   "Just a steam room and big enough for six people.  That is for after
your classes to start to relax your muscles.  Then the hot tub and after
that the pool."

   "Did you put a bathing suit down here?"

   "Nope I figured you would decide what you wanted here.  There are lots
of towels but that is it."

   "Hell with it I just going naked I guess." Dana started to shed her
clothing fast.

   "Mommy can I go naked as well?"

   "I don't see any reason why now.  We are all family and I guess nudist."

   John could see looking at both girls that Kelly was just a younger copy
of Dana.  The two were shaped very much alike, except for Dana's small
breasts and a little hair at her pubic bone.  Of course Dana was a good
twelve inches taller than Kelly.  But the two looked just so much a like it
was not funny.

   John undressed and watched the girls playing in the water.  Both watched
him and he dove in and came up close by.  The attack was fast and by both
girls.  But they played and had fun for a good half hour.  Then got into
the hot tub and turned it on with the jets and bubbles both.  It was
already nice and warm.

   "John my love I am going to enjoy this facility a lot.  But if it is
really mine then it is a no clothing facility.  I am comfortable around you
and Kelly without clothing.  So I want to get used to that here.  Kelly has
always been a nudist as she was hard to keep in clothing.  But she must
have either you or me here to come and used this area."

   "I guess I can live with that ladies.  That is as long as your not
laughing at me for from time to time having a hard on."

   Kelly was fast to answer.  "That is OK daddy it happens whenever men see
a pretty naked female." Now she giggled like the young girl she was.

   After dragging Dana from the hot tub they dried off and dressed.  Once
in the house and settled in the living room the gift opening started.  The
girls ended up very well dressed and with nice jewelry.  But he had saved
the main gift to last for each.

   "OK Kelly go to your room and open the big cabinet at the foot of your
bed.  Here is the key to allow that to happen." Kelly scrambled up and was
gone in a shot.  John and Dana walked slower behind.

   The cabinet was large and had not been there when she got up.  But she
put the key in and turned it.  The doors swung open and there was a large
flat screen with a rack holding may be 500 DVDs.  "I have never seen
anything like this daddy."

   "That is because there is no other like it.  You can watch DVDs, play
computer games with the controller or use it as a computer while sitting in
bed.  The key board, mouse and controller are wireless."

   Kelly jumped into John's arms and hugged him.  "Life with you is so much
fun.  I love you ever so much daddy."

   John hugged her back and just enjoyed the love she always showed him. 
"OK now it is mommy's turn."

   They walked into one of the empty rooms and Dana was beside herself.  It
was a complete nursery and had everything you could ever want.  "How in the
world did you do this without my knowing?"

   "It was not hard as you never come in here.  But on the wall is a
speaker system connected to one next to the bed for you to hear the baby.
So love you will never wonder about his or her condition.  The sound system
is so sensitive it will let you hear breathing."

   She just hung on to her man and cried.  "How is it I was so lucky to
find you?"

   "Some might say cursed as you got an old fart." He laughed and knew he
had been honest.

   "Well for an old fart you have an impressive baby maker.  Start thinking
about names for twins one girl and one boy old fart."

   Kelly was just beside herself now.  "I get both a sister and brother? 
This is great and I am loving it.  Man what a Christmas this has been."

   This new information did hit John and he was shocked.  "Twins and not
just one?  I am not sure what to say love.  But how did you find out?"

   Sam was worried about your age and the effect it might have on the baby.
So he did some testing of blood, urine and fluid from the uterus.  There
were no problems he could find at all.  Both are growing well and seem fine
in the scan."

   "It has nothing to do with Sam dear.  But you and all the mothers to be
will having a new doctor soon.  I got a request from an old friend and he
and his wife are coming.  She is OB/GYN and he is a surgeon.  We have a
hospital almost completed now below ground.  I saw we were going to really
need a surgeon bad at some point.  Clem is a very good one and Julie his
wife is a sharp lady.  She is kind of blunt but you always know exactly
what se thinks."

   This was not expected and yet it was good news.  She knew Sam was no
OB/GYN and he was even worried.  "How many doctors will we have?"

   "The only areas I was worried about were surgery and OB/GYN.  But I have
two MD's who are researchers coming.  We are going to need to make out own
drugs later.  In Boston where they are right now things are getting bad. 
So they are leaving after the first of the year to come to Roanoke.  I will
move them here from there."

   "Are you going to let them check out dad's drug?"

   "That is not my area dear.  What your dad developed is your birthright
and I have no rights there at all.  My worry is not having painkillers,
antibiotics and some drugs for treating conditions.  I will not lose
someone for a dumb reason."

   "That seems reasonable dear.  But I really want someone who is an expert
checking out dads drug.  I really don't have the education for making it
useable or even deciding how best to use it."

   "You work with them when they come and you will still have control.  Now
do you think I might get some lunch?"

   "If you will take soup and a sandwich I'll fix lunch daddy."

   "That is the best offer I have had sugar.  I would love soup and a
sandwich."

   Dana looked at John and smiled.  "You know she is going to get her
school work done so she can cook for you."

   "I certainly hope so, as I tend not to eat lunch now days.  It will be
nice having a lunch partner and talking with her."

   Dana saw just how much John loved her and now his daughter.  It showed
all over his face right now.  "If I did not know better I would think she
is yours."

   John looked directly into Dana's eyes.  "She is mine and I will not hear
anything else."

   The firmness of his voice left nothing to debate.  "The way you said
that, said you really meant it.  So yes from now on even in my mind she is
yours.  That my husband is a real complement to both of us ladies."

   They enjoyed the rest of Christmas day and played games together.  It
was not the normal day for any of them.  But its very difference made it
fun.

   That next morning John got up to find the ground covered with a good
foot of snow.  It was a shame it had not come for Christmas, yet it was
always nice to see.  Many of the children had gotten sleds for Christmas.
Today they would be put to good use.  The best hill in town was the one
going down from John's house.  It dropped off and into a street going
downtown.

   After breakfast he had the snow blower out and cleared off the path for
walking.  Then set up a good downhill run for sleds.  It was marked on both
sides with orange cones like they used on highways.  Many children saw him
out setting it up and came to see what he was doing.  Once the rules were
explained they all agreed.  So he sat out twenty saucers made of plastic
for children who had no sleds.

   By the afternoon the hill was loaded with kids.  He sat in his office
and watched them for some time.  The interest was how well they would play
together.  He found his bullies and his weak ones always picked on.  The
three boys and one girl were shocked when security came and got them.  Each
was shown video of their action when the parents came for them.  The law
was laid down and parents were not happy with their children.

   There just was no reason to allow children to learn that treating others
poorly was acceptable.  Kelly had watched and listened to the whole event.
"I see why you did that daddy.  But I am not sure I understand how you knew
it would happen?"

   "In every group there are some who wish to force others out.  It could
be because they are smarter, smaller or prettier.  But you will always find
some bullies in every community.  I decided today to start retraining them.
Not only did the kids get warned so did the parents.  Children learn that
from parents most often."

   "I am not sure what warned means?"

   "If this gets worst then they will be asked to leave here.  I don't play
games with people Kelly.  Either we are a close family group or if you
don't fit you can't stay."

   This really confused Kelly.  "You would send the parents away because
their kids did something wrong?"

   "No at all dear.  I would send them away for training the child to be
that way.  Most of the kid's parents were miners here.  They all were
prejudice as they come when we first got here.  As a group they had many
people, ideas and politicians they liked or hated.  If you did not see
things their way they were ready to fight.  Kids over time learned this way
of handling things.  So parents taught their children many bad habits."

   It was a clear picture for her.  "I see what worried you now.  Bringing
hate into our world would never be good."

   "There is far to much of it that exists today.  But as things fail it
could become a cancer that eats us up.  During a time of strife we will
have to depend on every person here.  Someone who would allow one of us to
be hurt, killed or would help our enemies I don't want here."

   Kelly saw something like it just lighted up.  "You expect us to have to
fight people to survive right?"

   "Not just fight dear but to kill if and when attacked.  The cities will
have thinned out and gangs will know the only food is in the country.  They
will come willing to kill, rape and destroy any who stand in their way.  We
have food and many things they will want.  I assure you buying them is not
their way of getting what they need."

   "That paints a very bad picture of the future doesn't it?"

   "Bad but I feel sure it is accurate.  It will not be tomorrow, but in a
year or less I expect to see this happening.  Large cities have seen gangs
controlling larger areas already.  Courts are so backed up, many cases in
large cities take a year or better to even get before a judge.  States are
saying letting convicted felons go, is needed due to less taxes coming in.
Most of these people are dangerous.  The new administration says treat the
drug addict and often they are also the sellers, robbers, muggers and the
likes.  So those people will stay in business while government supports
them."

   The picture was getting bleak and government was making it worse.  "Do
you think we will be safe Daddy?"

   "That was why I brought David and Carlton in here.  We have tracked
vehicles for fighting and both choppers and fixed wing aircraft.  Unless
the government orders the military to come here and take us out we are OK."

   "I hope you don't mind the questions.  But it has been hard to see just
why you did some things.  It I guess is my older mind doing the
questioning." She giggled in her little girl way.

   "Your older mind scares the hell out of me at times.  I will be glad
when your body catches up with your mind love."

   "I am not sure what you mean so please explain it to me?"

   "OK your seven and soon to be eight.  But your mind is a good double
your age in intelligence.  I am talking to my daughter seeing a seven year
old and then she says something I would expect from a twenty year old.  It
would not be so shocking to me if your body were the same age as your mind
was."

   "I can see that as it would shock me if the twins came out talking
rather than crying."

   John had to laugh but wondered if that were possible?  These shots did
have some odd side effects to them.  One being how the mind developed in a
child."









































   Chapter 10

   We had made it through the Christmas period and the news was complaining
about the bad retail situation.  Many stores had over bought and now were
stuck with merchandise they could not sell.  They were trying every gimmick
to get shoppers in to clear the inventory at just their cost.  But money
was very tight and people were not cutting it lose.  Little did they know
each month that same dollar was worth less.

   The innocent of the country were getting shafted big time.  That did not
mean the young, but those who just accepted what government and the media
told them.  A great many young and older people fell into this category. 
Life for them was going to be shocking as it all fell apart.

   The mortgage issue had cost many their homes and caused anger.  But that
had been directed at the banks and not policies started by government. 
Those lead to the crash of that market.  One President had opened up the
loans from Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac to more people.  They offered lower
down payments and lower early payments for low income people.  But they
would increase, as they were more stable the government said.  It did
increase and they were not more stable.  The increase in housing starts had
made the economy seem far more stable than it was.  The collapse was taking
down the rest of the country.

   Many people who had been well trusted were found to have stolen the
money they managed.  Companies that had invested in mortgages were now
finding that investment was worth little.  Brokerage firms were collapsing
due to the investment they had made.  Attorney Generals went after every
company they could for the real estate investments sold by them.  The stock
market took some major dives and people were feeling the pressure from
every side.

   The media had focused on the number of foreclosures and this was hurting
the way banks bottom lines were.  It just got worse from there.  Those
reports kept the economy falling into its black hole.  Each reporter
telling of more bad things they saw or expected to happen.

   The driving feeling here for John was that his prediction was closer
than even he had guessed.

   The day was a bright one of clear skies and no clouds.  That was when
Clem and Julie drove up to John's house.  Of course John knew Clem very
well as he had done surgery on him once.

   "Come in and enjoy the warmer condition." They walked in to John's
office.

   "How would you like to sell this place John?"

   "Well if you have a couple million in gold I would consider it."

   Clem looked at John in complete shock.  "First of all two million seems
kind of high.  Second gold rather than US dollars is really odd."

   "How much is your US dollar worth today?"

   "I have no clue what the exchange rate is?"

   "In gold it is $1,131 per ounce.  I was buying gold a few months ago
right at $670 and ounce.  What a dollar is worth compared to any other
currency has zero meaning.  All currencies are poor risks today.  The fed
is printing more money to buy treasury bills.  So they are paying debt off
with money that has little value."

   "So how are you going to handle money here?"

   "We use a credit and it is completely a computerized currency based on
gold and sliver values.  1,000 credits are worth sixty two ounces of silver
or one ounce of gold.  Here we have enough gold and silver to reclaim our
credits thousands of times over.  Our current vault value is right at five
hundred billion and growing.  It is growing by a few million a day.  So if
anyone leaves they may draw their money in gold and silver coins."

   That shocked Clem and Julie.  "Your joking right?"

   "Not at all would you like to see that vault?  Here it is on my computer
screen."

   They walked a round the desk and saw stacks of gold bars and many bins
of coins just sitting there.  Workers were walking in and out so you knew
that was real.

   After sitting back down they now had many questions.  "You sure did not
have money like that when I knew you before."

   "Nope but I was lucky and hit on a Power-ball ticket and won big time. I
invested by buying the coal company here that had gone broke.  I cut an
agreement with Virginia and closed all mines.  What I really wanted was the
land and the lime stone and quartz mountains here."

   "Why the mountains here?"

   "They allowed me to hire the miners and build a lot of what I needed
inside the mountains.  We hit a major gold vein and it is adding to our
ability to survive what is coming.  No I have not and will not tell the
government.  They would simply come in here and take over after tossing us
out.  Money is needed so bad by governments they will do anything to get
it. Being a legal action is not even considered."

   Julie smiled as she heard this.  "I know that well John.  Medicare
wanted me to handle a woman's appointment and check up for almost no fee. I
was lucky to break even after paying my expenses."

   "Well here we don't pay a lot as you have been told.  But it does not
cost a lot to live here and I assure you food will be plentiful.  You
should be able to save most of what you make.  You have a twenty bed
hospital for you to use and run.  There is no equipment that you don't have
there.  Sam Taylor is your emergency room doctor and handles all military
problems.  Now insurance is not needed as the company pays you.

   "I have a check here for three hundred thousand and change.  We will
have about five hundred thousand more coming when the house closes.  How do
we protect it?"

   "The bank will do that for you.  We keep almost no US dollars and buy
gold and sliver coins.  But what you bring in here is your money and will
be invested in precious metals.  That value in credits will show in your
account.  That you can see online anytime you wish.  But understand your
money will never again be worth less than when it was converted here the
first time."

   Both doctors were pleased with how things worked here so far.  "But what
can we do with even gold later?" Julie wanted to know.

   "There will come a time when the country is free of most of the strife
and fighting.  Then land and businesses will be sold for gold and silver or
whatever the new currency is.  So come that time buy your own hospital and
run it for a profit."

   "How will the fighting be stopped?  "

   "It will come from those who used force being killed off.  The military
will hold up on its bases or in major cities.  The ones in cities being
mostly National Guard.  Cities will be dangerous places for the next few
years and that will force some good people out.  Hopefully they survive
this mess.  But we all know many won't and they are a true loss.  A major
problem will be the command in most larger cities will be military and not
political.  DC will be a ghost town at the end.  Too many people and too
little food will kill it off."

   Both doctors could see John's idea.  "I am sure glad we decided to come
here.  Looking at it that way not many places will offer any safety."

   "Here we have a good defensive force with strong weapons technology. 
The road you came here on leads just down to a tree farm and it stops.  So
almost anyone coming up that road is trouble for us.  It is also trouble
for them if they are aggressive.  Our Special Forces people are used to
small group fighting.  A small team can hold down a couple hundred
attacking fairly easy.  Over rough terrain they are far better yet."

   "Now I understand why here.  Your really on a dead end road.  So anyone
coming is very open to being repelled."

   "The only reason for the road being paved was the coal mines.  For years
this was a dirt road and holes were filled with crushed stone.  It does not
show up on the state road map at all.  We have at least two mountains
between us and the world outside we have to watch.  So yes we are pretty
protected."

   Kelly came out of her cube and ran over to John..  "All done daddy and
now I am all yours."

   Both doctors looked at each other.  "Aren't you a bit old for having
children?"

   "I guess not as my wife is pregnant with twins right now."

   Julie looked at John and shook her head.  "You have to be well over
sixty even if you look more like upper forties.  So the odds of a woman
conceiving from your sperm are very slim."

   "Well my great grandfather sired one at 70 doc.  It is not like my
children will be poor after all this is over.  Besides I am going to live
for many more years.  I have no health problems right now at all." John was
smiling at both doctors now.

   "Can we see where your putting us to live and the hospital?"

   They walked down the hill and into the city.  At the edge of the park
was a door set into a stone building may be eight feet square.  John opened
it and they found an elevator waiting for them.  It took them down a good
hundred feet and opened.  Both doctors looked and it was very much like
walking down any hall.  They got to the next elevator and went up to what
was called eight on the buttons.

   "This is your home area and one I built for me before we moved into the
house.  So enjoy it and the things I built into it."

   They walked to a door and John had them both place their hand on a
scanner.  Then he did and the door opened.  It was a big very nice
apartment and as Clem and Julie walked through it they were impressed.

   "This is nicer that the house we just sold.  I really like the big
screen views of the outside.  They are like windows.  The bath is the
biggest I have ever seen before."

   "I think you will enjoy this.  The nice thing is we go out to that
elevator and go to 1 and your in the hospital.  It takes about three
minutes to go from here to there.  You are 800 feet over the hospital here.
We have good air systems and heat controls for each level."

   "We do have a truck coming in this morning with the things we wanted to
keep.  All furniture was sold except for a couple of items.  Here is the
check to be deposited and all our money we are carrying.  If 1 is the
hospital we can find it ourselves."

   "There is a map of the subterranean tunnels and where they go in your
office here.  You will be contacted by security and a RFID seed injected
into you to assure we know where you are.  It also allows entry to
restricted areas where your approved for them."

   Now the doctors walked the apartment and looked closely at everything.
They went then to the hospital and were pleased with how well it was set
up. There were no semi private rooms, as each was a private one.  A good
lab, radiology area fully equipped, surgery, delivery and emergency room
were all there.  They met Sam and liked him a lot.  He was a good doctor
with a ton of experience.

   "Each person who is here for treatment is wired into our system.  Heart
rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels are constantly checked.  We have two
nurses on duty every shift and one is senior and in charge.  They work
twelve-hour shifts and work four on and four off.  So with sixteen nurses
we cover the hospital all the time.  Most work right now is deliveries and
accidents.  But once the military gets active that will change.  How much
experience do you have with bullet wounds?"

   Clem was not shocked at this question at all.  "Actually quite a bit.  I
was a Marine Corps doctor and did my time to pay off my loans.  Until a few
years ago I was a reservist."

   "Good because I can handle the normal wounds, but those needing surgery
and in a delicate position is not my bag.  I just don't have the hands
needed for a good surgeon."

   "As long as you take care of the easier to remove bullets, I'll handle
the ones that require cutting and patching."

   "You have a deal doctor and one I am very happy with.  Now let me warn
you as I have already had my ass bitten off by John.  I told him he was
being an ass and he came down on me like a ton of rock."

   "Look Sam let me make one thing clear.  He is the boss here and no way
will I tell him he is an ass.  That shows you just how dumb the military is
allowing doctors to become.  He is the same thing as the President here. 
Now as an officer would you tell him that?"

   That registered with Sam.  "I guess I did really step out of line big
time.  He was just demanding more information than I was ready to provide."

   "If he wants information qualify it, but give it to him.  Here we have
no right to hold back on him and he is the only one that is true with.  If
you start holding back now, then when he is making major decisions your
going to fail him and this community."

   "How in the hell did you get so smart about command?"

   "It is simple rules we always followed in the Marine Corps.  You Special
Forces types have learned to operate without authority.  That is hurting
your command decisions now.  Your not operating now in BFE, so you had
better start to think like you did long ago."

   Julie was now confused.  "What the hell is BFE?"

   Sam smiled now.  "It is (bum fuck Egypt) and a standard acronym.  When
things are stupid, way out side the box and not going right it is always
happening in BFE or if you're the cause your being sent to BFE."

   "I like that idea a lot and will adopt it to my limited bad vocabulary.
Being able to say BFE without using the words fits me just fine." Julie was
enjoying this completely new environment.  The hospital was really a first
class facility for this small community.

   Dana walked in to the lab with samples and was introduced to the
doctors. "Well Julie you will be delivering mine and John's twins."

   Julie was in complete shock now.  "Your John's wife?"

   "Sam I think that is right isn't it?  I chased the hell out of him until
he collapsed."

   Now Clem was laughing like mad.  "She just got you dear.

   "Look lets get this over with.  I have heard every age reason not to
marry John or why I should find a younger man.  Mostly from John and I have
told him to mind his own business and let me mind mine."

   "I guess that put things into a perspective for me.  Now I hear you have
a set of twins coming?" Julie was all professional now.

   "You have a good 8 months to handle before they get here.  Tests show
fraternal twins one boy and one girl.  Now you have a lot of reading to do
before you come close to understanding John, Kelly or me in a physical
sense.  Kelly is age 7 with the intelligence of around 14 or 15.  Give her
a few moments and she can discuss any topic at great length with you.  So
far I have found no test to measure her IQ.  The odds are these twins will
be the same way."

   That statement left a lot of questions for Julie.  "OK where do I start
this reading you say I need to do?"

   Sam spoke up.  "We have her lab right next to the hospital.  Her dad's
notebooks are in there.  There are two researchers coming in to work on
drug manufacture here.  We are going to need basic drugs and will not be
able to order them from a distributor.  They will also study the new drug
Dana's father developed." He quickly added the drugs he had developed and
sold to pharmaceutical companies they knew.

   "God Dana your dad was one smart man.  I met him just once at a meeting
on Duke's campus.  We talked for about and hour and I enjoyed him a lot. 
He was opinionated and very blunt.  But he always made a lot of sense on
the subject being discussed."

   "Dads greatest failing was his inability to allow others an opinion. 
What he had no interest in he ignored.  Thank God John has taken over the
education of Kelly.  She is only allowed a half day of school now.  Then
she spends a half day working with John.  He says she gives him a different
outlook and it helps in decision making."

   Clem saw Sam did not think Kelly was that smart.  "I very much enjoyed
meet her in John's office.  Now I have a test for IQ I really like, as it
is not questions, but geometric designs.  It was developed in Europe and
can be used on a very young child."

   "Feel free to give it a go.  Duke's people just gave up on her.  They
said the scale today just did not go high enough with any accuracy.  That
was due to such a small sample size at Kelly's level."

   John and Kelly were today inspecting some of the approaches to the
valleys.  They both were mounted on good horses and riding trails to
lookout posts.  Each post protected a good part of their valley here.  At
each outpost they saw just how well it was hidden and the electronics to
help stay safe.  You could hear footfalls, see heat signatures and watch it
all on a map.

   Once they returned to the command post the briefing was a quick one.

   Once back home Kelly went to her room to play with her DVD player.  John
headed to his office.  He had several issues to check and then tonight he
was master of ceremonies at the New Years Eve dance.  The last year had
gone quickly and far different than he would ever have guessed.  For sure
he never expected to marry again and having children?  That was just never
possible without a wife capable of it.

   The score he had set for events and conditions was now a 9.1 on a scale
of 10.  When he had started this that had been a 7.3.  So things had really
turned for the worst and done so fast.  He expected governments to start
failing at 9.5.  Things were close and it could start to happen over night
at any point.

   Dana when she was dressed looked like a goddess to John.  Her trim body,
pert small breast and long legs were features John loved to look at. 
Nothing about her disappointed him in any way.

   "Why are you standing there looking at me?"

   "Because love I get lost just doing that." John returned to her.

   "That is not the truth husband, as I am carrying two babies that comes
long after the looking."

   Kelly came in just then.  "Daddy button my back up please?"

   John squatted and did her buttons up the back of the dress.  "Why in
hell do they put buttons up the back of a dress for a child this small?"

   Dana was laughing now.  "One is so they can't take it off.  Two it gives
fathers something to do and feel useful.  Three is it used to piss me off
when I was her age and that had to make someone happy."

   They were all laughing now and it felt good.  "Ladies lets get down to
the club.  I have taken the liberty of securing transportation for you. 
Walking down that hill did not seem like a good idea tonight." He helped
them into their coats and walked out the front door.

   There stood a carriage drawn by two white horses.  He helped both ladies
in and covered them all with the lap blanket.  "Daddy this is fantastic.  I
have never dreamed of riding like this."

   "Well for my queen and princess nothing is to good.  But Jackson will
stay around the main city and take the people at the dance for rides
tonight.  It seemed like a good way to bring some romance into tonight's
festivities.  Then after the dance he will take us back home ladies."

   The girls were holding on to him and they loved how he treated them. 
"Where did Jackson come from?"

   "His dad runs the tree farm down the road.  We are raising horses there
and Jackson is doing the training.  He is teaching riding, so our people
use the animals correctly.  Matter of fact there are now three horses in
the stable behind the house.  Riding is very good exercise and I love to
ride.  So there is a horse for each of you stalled there."

   Kelly went nuts and hugged her daddy.  "I loved riding with you today.
Are we going to do a lot of it?"

   "I intend to ride every day for the pure enjoyment I get from it.  But a
horse lets me get around without burning fuel.  Try taking and electric
vehicle to the top of a mountain and see how far you get?  A horse will do
that easy and you even get to enjoy going along."

   Dana had said nothing to this point.  "I am afraid of horses John."

   "That is good as only a fool would not worry about something bigger than
they are."

   That hit Dana as really odd to have someone say.  "But that means I will
not be riding with you."

   "Fine it is your choice and I'll send your horse back to the ranch."

   Kelly was watching her daddy handle her mom.  She always learned a lot
from these situations.

   "But what if I want to try it later?"

   "You can go see Jackson and let him teach you."

   "But if I did I want you to teach me."

   "Nope that is just not going to happen.  I was willing to teach you to
start with.  You rejected my offer and I accept that.  Kelly was scared
today, but she trusted me to make sure she was safe and it worked out for
her.  But I will never force you to do anything where you don't feel safe."

   Damn him for being so considerate.  "We are all going riding tomorrow
and that is the end of it." Dana had walked into the lion's den now.

   "What has brought this on?" John just did not understand it.

   "You never push me to reach beyond myself.  I just don't understand it?"

   "We have had several conversations where you have vented at your father
for pushing you into things.  You seemed to feel he was manipulating you
that way.  So I have decided never to do that, as I like just who you are
now.  Besides pushing you to do something you don't want to is not
unconditional love."

   She mellowed at this set of comments.  "You right and I was over
reacting to your not pushing me."

   "Just remember for the next eight months your going to be a ball of
hormones and conflicting issues.  What you accept today is going to piss
you off tomorrow.  That just comes with being a mother during the time your
doing all the work."

   "Thanks for loving me and keeping me straight love." Dana snuggled into
John's arm.

   They arrived at the front of the club and got out of the carriage. 
Jackson went to the back and brought out a sign for free carriage rides for
New Years Eve.  This was placed on a stand and he waited for people to
come.

   The table for John and his family was beside the stage and elevated so
all could see them.  Just before the dance started John went on stage and
took the microphone, made sure it was live then addressed the crowd.  "Good
evening ladies and gentlemen welcome to our first New Years Eve dance.  Now
food will be served buffet style for those who are hungry.  Jackson has a
beautiful carriage outside for rides, if you would like a little fresh air
tonight.  You young people are welcome to ride as well in groups of 4 to 6.
Security will change at 11 PM and that way all can at least have some time
here.  Breakfast will start to be served at 12:30 AM and the club will
close at 2 AM.  Happy New year to all of you and may God bless us in the
next year."

   The band came out and the dance started on time at 8 PM.  Clem and Julie
came in and sat with them for a short time.  They were still excited about
their apartment.  Then they left and for the next hour people were stopping
and talking.

   Carlton tapped John on his shoulder.  "Need to see you boss in private."

   When they got out doors Kelly was with them.  But Carlton knew that was
all right.  "We got hit tonight and were caught flatfooted.  I have two men
in sickbay with minor wounds.  I have had to put one chopper up with FLIR
abilities and we have seen a group of about fifty getting ready to attack.
There are going to be a lot of dead people boss."

   "Can we get behind them and take out their leadership?"

   "I have two teams now working their way into position.  But the majority
are going to be coming at us before we get to them."

   "How the hell did they get here and how did they know where to come?"

   "The driver for the doctors truck is one of the leaders.  I would guess
he brought the others with him and dropped them off before his delivery? 
We refused him entry due to security reasons and did the delivery
ourselves."

   "It seems we have a choice right now.  Either we let the world know we
are here or we close the mouths that would do that?  That is not hard for
me to make that decision right now.  One small leak and we would have every
state cop and FBI agent all over here.  Take them out and if any survive
give them a room to farm.  But no one leaves here do you hear that?  Be
sure any bodies are never found as well."

   "Loud and clear boss and it will go as you wish.  I felt the same way
and have made the plans based on expecting you to see it as I did."

   "I need to go back and warn Dana of why I will be gone for a time."

   "You go daddy I'll take care of mom."

   With that he and Carlton were off in a shot to the control center.  They
both were on a dead run and made good time.  Once inside John filled a cup
with coffee and sat back to watch the men working.

   Several trails coming up the mountain from the next valley were being
used, to come over the mountain.  The IR images were clearly showing from
six to eight men moving up the mountainside per trail.  The FLIR or forward
looking inferred imager, was showing each mans position from bottom to top
of the mountain.  That included our personnel waiting for the enemy.

   Yes, these men were seen as the enemy and that was not open for
discussion.  They would steal and kill with no reservations.  So we would
do it faster and better.  The enemy had fifty men and we were defending
with twenty six.  Two three man teams were moving in on the leaders.  Then
there were twenty to handle those coming up the mountain.

   The noise from the enemy coming up the mountainside was so loud, you
always knew where they were.

   "Carlton where did the two men get hurt?"

   "They were walking sentry in front of the gates when they were shot from
down the road.  I think they expected us to leave our posts and rush them?
Of course we closed the gates after bringing the men inside.  Sam checked
them and we had one shoulder wound and one leg wound.  Both were muscle
wounds and he was treating both when I came for you."

   "Why would they shot for an arm or leg?"

   "They had flack jackets on and those areas were not protected."

   "No more guards outside the gates.  Use an IR camera and keep the men
behind protection.  If needed park a Bradley armored vehicle there and let
them use it as a post.  With its weaponry they could fight a small war with
men on foot.  With the M3/A3 you have the best possible defense weapon.  It
has the best electronics as well."

   "It does handle 5 men pretty well boss.  With the missiles it has we
fight either air or tank opponents.  Up here either would have a hard time
hitting us.  But the chain gun would clear that road and fast.  So we will
put one at the gates for a sentry post."

   "Be sure the mailman does not get all bent out of shape."

   "He no longer comes up here.  I have a jeep meet him down below and get
the mail for us and the tree farm.  He is very happy not to make that ride
up the mountain each day.  He knows he can get his packages off loaded as
well.  So he always brings all he has for us."

   Then the firing started on top the mountain.  It was loud and could be
heard outside, but it sounded like firecrackers.  Of course military people
knew exactly what it was.

   John watched the men coming in on the leaders just take them out with
not one knowing all had been killed.  Everyone was a head shot and the
driver from the truck lost a part of his head.  It was all bagged up
quickly as there was a need for the body.  It was loaded in the truck and
driven to a spot where the driver stopped.  He pulled the original driver
into position, removed the bag from his head and took the brake off to let
the truck roll forward.  It went off the road and dropped three hundred
feet before it exploded.

   The fire could not be seen from the road and neither could the truck. 
So if found there would be questions, but it did look like an accident to
any who would see it.

   A large backhoe came into the clearing and started digging a hole.  As
the bodies were brought down they were placed in the hole dug for them. 
All ID was removed and placed in a sack for later review.  Once done and
covered two smaller trees were planted over the top of the hole.  It was
hoped they would grow there as a marker.













   Chapter 11

   Once things were well in hand John slipped back into the dance.  Dana
never said a word to him and he did not push it.  She seemed cool and spent
her time talking to friends.  So John danced with Krystal and Sandy who
were sitting at their table when he returned.

   The dancing seemed to piss off Dana more.  So he just sat and drank
coffee and talked with Kelly and the girls.  It was a no win situation for
him that night.  But some discussion was going to happen before they went
to bed.

   The night went by slowly now and Dana acted like a child.  Kelly was
older than her mother when it came to dealing with others.  John stood and
walked to the stage and took the microphone.

   "My friends you all need to know our land and installation was attacked
tonight.  I am sorry to say we had two wounded at our front gate on guard
duty.  The wounds are not life threatening, but both are hospitalized for a
couple of days at least.  The attacking force was fifty men all from the
Roanoke area.  No one on the attacking force survived their attack." That
caused a buzz in the room.

   "It was my decision to make if we tried to arrest these men or if we
just treated them as they would us?  Rather than bring a load of state
police and FBI up here I made the decision to just fight.  If any here
doesn't agree I am sorry about that and you may leave as soon as you let me
know.  My job is to protect you and never put your lives at risk and that
is what was done."

   Now applause was loud and long.  "It is now just one minute until
midnight.  The lights will go out for 60 seconds at exactly midnight.  So
to all of you happy New Year."

   The band started back and on time the lights went out.  John was now one
year older.  Once they came back on a large cake was rolled out and all
stood to applaud.  Dana had no idea what was going on.

   Mrs.  Minch walked to the microphone.  "John from all of us Happy
Birthday and here is your cake.  We would have put all the candles on it,
but no one would issue a fire permit for that size blaze."

   The laughter was all over the hall.  Mrs.  Minch walked up to John and
hugged him.

   Dana was shocked, as she had forgotten about his birthday.  Now she was
embarrassed as well as angry.  This was not a good day at all.

   Kelly with her smile came to John and hugged him.  "Daddy will you dance
with me please?"

   He picked her up and started to dance holding her to his chest.  The
band was playing and people enjoyed his show for the children.  Many
daddies followed suit and the floor was soon loaded with fathers and
daughters and mothers and sons.  Dana walked out and headed home.

   Kelly had seen her mom walk out and knew she was in an angry mood.  But
for the life of her she did not know why?  She did not say anything when
told why dad was going to the command center.  So this was a worry to her.

   They stayed until the club closed at 2.  John had sent Jackson on and he
and Kelly walked to the house.  "I will be up before you will, so come look
for me here in the office in the morning OK?"

   "Sure daddy, but give me one more kiss and hug before I go to bed." John
did as requested and she skipped off happy with her daddy.

   He sat in his office and turned over Dana's attitude tonight.  There was
no real reason for it and he had done nothing to cause it.  At least not
that he could see.  But he was in no mood for that talk now.  It would just
have to wait.  He slipped off his suit and crawled on to the office couch
with a blanket he kept in there.  It took no time and he was out.

   The light showing from outside was little.  So he walked to the kitchen
and started the coffee.  He picked up a wool shirt and jeans off the dryer.
With his wool socks and boots he knew he would be fine weather wise.  Once
dressed he got the coffee and sat at his desk to consider events.  It was
one reason why he had not considered marriage before.  He just did not like
the games people play.

   Dana walked in and just stared at him.  "You never came to bed last
night."

   "I was in no mood for a fight attempting to be started and slept on the
couch here thank you."

   She knew he was angry and hurt as well.  "Look the issue is not you and
it is mine to deal with."

   "Fine and I will stay way outside your area while you do that.  May be
Kelly and I will move into the hotel for a time?"

   "Your just going to turn your back on me?"

   "Nope I am just giving you the room to handle YOUR issue.  That
statement told me to butt out and leave it alone.  I am doing so, but lady
you have hurt me and that I have a problem with.  So if your trust factor
with me is so small, I need to just be away from you or I'll do something
wrong.  I have been down this road with a wife I divorced long ago. 
Understand I can't close you out when you have already closed me out."

   John stood and walked out the door and to the mudroom.  He pulled on his
boots, his hat and got his coat on.  Then headed to the barn.  He had his
horse saddled when Kelly came out.

   "Daddy why didn't you wait for me?"

   "Dana came looking for a fight and I just was not willing to do that."

   He got Kelly's horse ready and they mounted and headed into town.  They
stopped at the restaurant and tied their horses at the rail.  Both went in
and ordered food and John coffee and Kelly tea.

   "This used to happen with grandfather from time to time.  She just got
real mad and said nothing to me at all."

   "Well love we are moving to the hotel for a few days, to let her get
over whatever it is.  If she can't get a handle on it I will be moving out.
I have far too much happening now to risk all our lives over someone's
anger they can't handle.  Had I known this happened to your mom I would
never have married her."

   "I am glad you did daddy, but I understand how you feel.  This the last
time went on for a couple of weeks."

   "I don't have two weeks to allow that Kelly.  Either she handles it or I
move out to someplace I can work.  There is far too much on the line right
now for me to allow her a lot of time."

   After they ate Kelly had made up her mind.  "You go ahead and ride
daddy. I am going back to talk with mom.  It is time for me to hit her up
side her head.  She is messing with all our lives and has no right to do
that."

   Kelly walked into the house and saw her mom sitting at the kitchen
table. "I am really pissed at you mom.  So I have come back for us to talk.
Now if you don't want to talk then be ready to lose daddy and me.  I will
not be treated ever again like you treated me before.  I remember your
slapping me across the face for getting in your way.  So don't give me that
I love you bullshit.  The one thing I have always know is you never loved
me."

   Dana was white faced and knew she was going to lose them both.  The
tears started to roll down her face.  "I found out that your grandfather
was your father.  It took a couple of DNA tests and the answers were all
there.  Yesterday I opened a box that he had locked up and found the letter
in there that told me exactly what happened and how it happened.  I was
lied to and have lived a lie for years now."

   "So you treat daddy like crap and that makes it better?  You could not
even sit down and talk about this with him?  Your just like grandfather was
a very self centered person.  The only time he wanted to spend time with
me, was when he had his hand in my panties."

   Dana's head shot up and she could not believe what she had just heard.
"Your lying and I will punish you."

   "Hey he also taught me to suck his cock just like he taught you.  Did
you ever wonder what that little black mark was on the side of his cock? 
He popped a pimple and it bleed a lot.  That was a small blood blister."

   Now Dana knew her daughter had gone through the same training she had.
"God Kelly I never knew he did that to you."

   "If he had not died when he did, I would have been fucked soon.  He said
you were too old and he liked them young.  But you used to bring them to
him all the time mom.  He told me he used drugs on them and they never knew
he fucked them.  But he made you watch and you knew it.  So mom you have a
choice right now.  Either start treating daddy the way you should or I will
tell everybody in this community about your getting girls for grandfather."

   Now Dana was shook and it showed.  "I am not sure if John will ever want
me again Kelly.  You I at least know he loves and will protect you.  But I
am really damaged goods.  Yes I did a lot of procuring for dad long before
you came along.  He fucked over two hundred girls under the age of 11. 
Most of them were from 7 to 10.  But what do you think John would say about
that?"

   "He for sure would not blame you for your fathers actions.  John never
does anything to hurt people he knows and likes.  But when you turned your
back on him rather than coming and working things out it hurt him.  You
said you did not trust him with your actions."

   "I never saw it that way Kelly.  But your right and it must be
corrected. This is going to have to be a family conversation.  So you will
have to be involved as well.  He has to know all this before he can make
any decisions."

   "Mom don't expect John to make any decisions.  We will make them and he
will accept them.  He is not like grandfather at all.  John does not make
our decisions as he just makes his own.  Now if you want to lose him just
keep treating him like crap.  It is for sure he never treated you the way
your treating him."

   That was like a slap in her face and she knew she had it coming.  Dana
just dropped her head and let the tears roll.  This whole thing had been a
nightmare.

   When John got home and had taken care of his horse, he walked into a
house that was in turmoil.  Of course he knew things were going to be bad,
but not just how bad.  He walked to the bathroom and washed up after using
the toilet.  Then walked into the living room and sat down.

   Kelly got up and moved to his lap and just leaned back on his chest. 
Not one word was said and time seemed to stand still.  Dana was looking for
how to start and was lost for right now.

   Then it started to roll out of her.  The fact her father was Kelly's
father and that he had kept this knowledge from her as long as he lived. 
Her being pushed to procure children for him or he would just start to use
her.  That started when she was 6 and just got worse each year.  Then her
finding out what he had all ready done to Kelly was pushing her over a
mental cliff.

   During this whole recital John sat and just looked calmly at her.  "OK
Dana life is a bitch, so why are you mad at me?  I don't think I did
anything that hurt you did I?"

   Very meekly she shook her head and said no.  "I just did not think any
body could accept what happened and still love me.  What I did to other
girls can never be forgiven."

   "Here I question your premise as you did noting to the girls.  Your
father did and you were under duress to supply them.  At the age this
started you had no moral convictions.  Later it did not matter how you felt
he had control of you.  The difference between him and me is I don't own
you in any way.  If you do something for me it is because you want to, not
because it was demanded."

   She had lost sight of how she lived now.  It took her just a few seconds
to get up and be in his lap beside Kelly.  "How could you possibly care for
me?"

   "The real woman is inside you doing her best to get out.  Your life has
had some very disturbing issues in it.  Now that is disturbing to you and
not to me.  Little girls have this habit of falling in love with fathers
who show some care.  They also fall in love with ones that don't care and
are willing to do incredible things to get them to care.  So Kelly is very
much in that condition now.  It is my choice as her father how I treat her.
She would accept any request I made of her willingly.  But the question
always is do I want her to hate me later in life?  I could abuse her and
have her not hate me, but that is not guaranteed."

   Now Dana's eyes were getting opened even more.  "Your saying most little
girls have to depend on their fathers not to take advantage of them.  That
they love their dads and would do anything asked of them?"

   "I don't know many girls in loving homes that does not fit.  Most
compete with mom for dad's affection.  Sex can be pleasurable even for a
small child if done right.  Of course full adult sex is not really safely
possible for young girls, but there is far more where no pain exists. 
There is no reason to damage a child just to satisfy a desire."

   The relationship Dana had with her dad now took on an even different
look.  "You don't see me as guilty for bringing other girls to my dad?"

   "Nope not at all dear.  I am sure if I asked Kelly she would find the
neediest little girl in the orphanage and bring her to me for sex.  She
would feel no guilt as I had asked her to do it.  You know daddy's can do
no wrong right?"

   This Dana had to think about before she went on.  "You seem to be saying
dad built the relationship with me to maintain control of me.  Then he
continued to use me as he wished over a long period of time?"

   "It kind of looks that way doesn't it?  He also started to build that
relationship with Kelly.  Your dad might have been bright, but he was a
user of people.  No not people children, as he I think was not able to
perform at an adult level.  At 16 he had to knock you out to impregnate you
with Kelly.  You were a cherry and had to be tight as hell.  Yet he had to
rape you to be successful.  What an odd man."

   This statement hit a note with Dana.  She could just barely remember
some times she got up in the morning sore.  So the rapes had happened more
than once.  But rape it was and she hated him for that.  "I see I have a
lot to learn and accept John.  But this does not seen to bother you and I
find that unusual."

   "Look what we are discussing happened long before I ever knew you.  You
have done nothing I know of while we have been together that worries me. 
Until yesterday you have always treated me like your lover and I enjoyed
that.  In the same respect I am a one woman man and if I ever wanted to
cheat, I would tell you we needed to divorce.  I don't play around on
someone I love."

   That had been very straightforward and honest.  "What about Kelly's
needs she also has some here?"

   "Look I am not going to rape a 7 year old.  I will love her to death and
do anything for her possible.  But sex is not part of that equation Dana.
If you come to me at some point and ask me to teach her some part of sex
that would not do damage to her, I would consider it.  But she would have
to ask me as well and discuss why it was important to her.  If the logic
was sound and she fully understood it, I might consider it with you
present. But I am not your dad and will not take advantage of our family
situation.  Remember the key word is might."

   Dana was shocked at how John wanted her involved in any possible sex
play with Kelly.  It for sure was not for his pleasure, as it was to teach
Kelly.  He knew the limits of the education here and the future was to be
bleak that way.  Both the miners and military were not big on sex education
for children.  It was going to mean some very unhappy girls went they had
their first experience.

   "How do we repair our relationship John?"

   "My question was never did I love you, it was can I live with the new
woman that had moved in?  If my original wife is back I see no damage to
our relationship.  But if that other woman comes back then there is a
problem.  One that will cause me to move to where I can meet the
obligations I have.  I don't play games and don't like to be played with,
be that accidentally or on purpose.  So any decisions are in your hands
dear and not in mine."

   Kelly smiled at her mom and Dana knew she did understand John better
than she did.  "Kelly told me that any decisions would be mine and not
yours.  I am ashamed that my daughter knows her dad better than his wife
does.  But I am willing to work to bring myself back into line with who I
was before.  The short time you were gone I did miss you and was afraid you
would never come back."

   "Just so you know if we had been dating I would never have married you.
Had I seen this back in North Carolina then you would still be back there.
Your quite fortunate that you made it as far as you did.  We have one
Psychiatrist coming in to handle trauma from fighting and killing.  She has
done this before in the military.  It would be a good idea if you set up
and appointment and talked with her about your problem.  I suggested the
same thing to Krystal and Sandy.  Her name is Dr Susan Kissel and she
starts tomorrow in the town.  Her office is in the pool building so people
have no idea who is going to see her.  But you must have an appointment to
get into her office."

   "I will of course do that, but why not just you and I work it out?"

   "Love in a perfect world we could do that.  But this is for sure no
perfect world.  So it is better you get professional help that is outside
and can be objective.  They can suggest things that I can't and in some
cases would not think of possibly.  So that is a far better option for you.
That will also give you a sounding board for how you see things.  No one
can cure you of your problem, but they can help you cure yourself."

   "OK I'll do it and go that way.  But I don't know about telling a
stranger about all of this."

   "She will have a complete report on her desk tomorrow dear.  It will be
no more than the story from my point of view.  Of course what you have told
me and what Kelly did will be included as well."

   "Does Kelly need help like that?"

   "She seems very well adjusted and we have discussed what her grandfather
did to her.  That she understands can't be changed, but it does not affect
how much I love her.  So I have become her point of stabilization.  Unless
she wants to sit down with the doctor and talk it out, I will not force her
to do that.  But it is her decision and no one will push her one way or the
other."

   He seemed to be taking that position with both of them.  But if the
doctor was also working with Krystal and Sandy she was sure she could get
help.  Right now her hormones were raging from the conception and she
needed someone to guide her.

   Dana went in and started dinner, as she had given Mrs.  Minch a couple
of days off to spend with her daughter and her family.  Tonight would be
and easy one as she had steaks out and would fix potatoes in the microwave.
All she would have to do is fix a salad for each of them to finish it off.

   John and Kelly went into his office and he started to build the document
for the doctor.  It had to be accurate and as complete as possible.  So he
worked quickly to get it outlined, then he would go back and fill in the
facts.  This he felt was the least he could do to help Dana.  He knew
enough about psychology to know what she was going to face.  So giving her
a good start was within his power.

   "Daddy it seems your leaving a lot out?"

   "This is by no means a finished product sugar.  It is and outline for me
to build on later.  I have to be careful to not state opinion as fact.  Our
minds are very complex and finding what is really the problem is not always
easy."

   This confused Kelly.  "What do you mean the real problem?"

   "What your mom thinks is the problem now may not be the problem really?"

   "I don't understand that what do you mean?"

   "Lets say you are concerned about what happened with your grandfather.
The reason for that is everyone says that was bad.  But really down deep
you liked it and don't feel bad about it.  So your outward emotions reflect
what people around you expect.  But inside your happy with what went on and
angry you can't be honest.  It would drive you to cut off relationships
with many others you liked at one time."

   "I see what your saying about the mind being complex."

   "Sugar we all make ourselves into who we wish to be.  Most often we tend
to assume traits and actions of those around us we respect and like.  Over
time we build a person we like.  Now in your moms case that image was
destroyed and she must rebuild who she is."

   Now it hit her just what happened to her mom.  "That has to be hard
daddy."

   "The older you get the harder it is.  Our minds become less and less
flexible as we grow older.  So if this had to happen now is a pretty good
time for your mom to rebuild.  She is young and still flexible in her
thinking.  But she is going to have to want to rebuild and be willing to
accept the pain and different person she will become."

   They had dinner and talked about light things.  None of the last twenty
four hours was brought up.

   The next morning John was in his office early and polishing the document
for the doctor.  Dana walked in to let him know she had breakfast ready. 
"What are you doing?"

   "Just finishing up the data for the doctor for you.  You will need to
read it to be sure it is accurate.  Kelly will also need to read her part
to be sure I was accurate there as well." He started the printer running
and they headed to eat.

   Dana read the document slowly as did Kelly.  Both said it was very
accurate and added nothing that was not said or did not happen.  That he
had accurately depicted Dana's father and his ways of controlling them. 
But Dana questioned John's statement of her having an identity crisis?

   "I don't think there is any identity crisis.  Why did you say that?"

   "Two days ago you knew who you were and where you were headed.  Can you
say that now?"

   "No I guess I can't, but where did that person go?"

   "That is something you will need to find out?  We all have identities
that get lost from time to time.  It does not happen as much at my age, as
we have a firm grip on who we are.  That comes with a lot time being the
same person.  That comes from the rules we have built."

   This she understood and knew she needed to develop the rules for her
life.  "Like never lying, always keeping promises, not acting without
consideration or listening without interruptions to others."

   "I have many rules that keep me the same person everyday.  It makes it
very comfortable for others to work with me.  They know what to expect and
it is very consistent."

   This she had seen and never considered the rules he had to have in
place. "I see some of what your saying.  Just sent this report to the
doctor and ask her to let me know when I can see her?" Dana headed to her
lab now and work that she had to get done.

   John shot off the report with Dana's request.  He invited the doctor to
stop by and have a discussion with him that was totally unrelated to Dana.
It was time for her to know that all final decisions stopped here in this
office.  Once he had made a decision it was his responsibility and no one
else's.  He had always liked the idea of where the buck stopped and for him
it was at his desk.

   The news was getting worst as the retail sector was starting to have
companies going into bankruptcy.  In the early stages it was the smaller
independent companies.  Larger companies could take millions to hundreds of
millions in losses before the stock was worth nothing.  Every dime of asset
value and sock money available has to be lost or owed before a company is
broke.  So a large well funded company could last for a few years before
collapsing.  A small poorly funded one dropped off in weeks.  That was just
the nature of business.

   One of the major employers of people was the auto industry.  It had been
falling off the table for some years now.  But the current government was
trying to assure union jobs and pressing it into bad moves.  This was going
to hurt all Americans as debt was forgiven and government became the main
stockholder.  Billions in money invested by older Americans was lost in one
shot.

   The parts makers were also hurting and not doing well.  So many of them
would close their doors.  It looked like before it was over GM and Chrysler
would go down the tubes and Ford would be the only US manufacturer left
standing.  The government could not manage itself, let alone the auto
industry.  But that was over looked by almost everyone.

   The best guess John had was that a few state governments would fall
before summer.  The federal government did not have the funds needed to
take over running them.  So states would end up in chaos without laws and
government.  Police would not be paid and would not work.  Trash would not
be picked up, stores would not open due to no food or goods.  That was the
way the start to this downhill slide looked.











   Chapter 12

   It was now early March and the government of Virginia was calling itself
broke.  This was not the first to take that step.  The early victims were
the states in New England and the Midwest.  Of course California was the
first to really go broke.  They just would never admit it.

   John had tightened up the security for the valleys.  The road was now
blocked off with a gate and walls.  With no traffic that could use it to
move from one point to another, it was taken out of state service long
before.  Once the county agreed it had been done, the wall and gate was
built.  It was a good three miles from the town to where the gate was.

   All power generation was now for the town and valley use.  So three of
the turbines were closed down for now and two ran just part time.  All
landlines were cut to the town and there was now no phone service except by
wireless methods.  Removing the wire that brought it down to the VEPCO
lines cut the electrical feed coming from the wind turbines.  There would
be no more power going to the company.

   Building a gate house of stone and well fortified was an early project.
There were both IR and night vision cameras hidden in the trees up the
mountain, to provide help in defending the gatehouse.  The goal was no
surprises any more.  Each day a new crew of ten would take over the
gatehouse.

   That was two snipers and one gate controller during the day and a team
of seven for night fighting if needed.  Anyone walking into this area at
night was looking for real trouble.

   The teams were well placed and heavily armed.  There were two Bradley
fighting vehicles and one M1A2 Abrams tank sitting there each night.  The
total for seven tracked fighting vehicles helped be sure they could defend
the road.  They were only out at night right now, but their FLIR abilities
let them see any heat signature.

   The troops were now at high alert and looking for any possible
attackers. Each mountain had one lookout with IR and night vision abilities
looking for possible people invading.  These posts were dug into the ground
and concrete walled.  Each had two automated machine gun emplacements
protecting it.

   At night there were always twenty men out holding down lookout posts. 
The way it worked was a trooper had one night of guard duty out of every
six days.  No one got burnt out this way.  The object was to keep people
fresh and very observant.

   It was early in the day when John received a call to come the control
room.  He walked over and sat down with David.  "What seems to be the
problem?"

   "No problem boss.  You said that sooner or later people would start
coming with families, to move into the mountains.  We have a group of
around sixty people at the gate down at the bottom of the mountain.  There
are may be twenty adults and the rest are children of different ages.  How
do you want to handle this?"

   "How much in goods do they have?"

   "There are two horse drawn carts filled with goods."

   "Send the bus down and bring the main body up.  Let them bring their
carts up to meet the rest here at the control center.  Call the restaurant
and have them get ready to feed these people.  Be sure the restaurant is
cleared of our people before you send them in.  Have Sam ready to help any
who are sick and Call Jackson and advise him he needs to get the ferry
ready."

   Thing were now under way and would be handled smoothly.  So John went
back to his office and followed the people on the camera system.  They
looked like normal middle class people, who were better dressed than most
for the cold here.  The children looked to be in pretty good shape and none
looked sick.  They ranged from around 2 to 16 years of age.

   Once everyone had come up to the gatehouse the bus took them all to the
diner for a meal.  The fact we had electricity and food like they had not
seen in some time caused many comments.

   John walked into the restaurant and took a seat.  Two men walked over
and sat down with him.  "I am Jason and this is Clancy.  We are the party
leaders and guides."

   "OK now what do you need from us and where are you headed?"

   "I am not sure you can help us that much.  We have been looking for
ammunition for the rifles we have and food that is freeze dried.  That is
all hard to find any more.  Our destination is an area of timberland
Westvaco owns of just over one million acres.  There are no roads in or
power lines cutting through it.  It is just to the north and east of here."

   "Let me ask how are you going to be sure the young children survive?"

   Both men hung their heads.  "We both know we will lose many of them. 
But we could not leave them at home and go through the hell there."

   "We have an orphanage here that will take children from toddler to
eleven.  The agreement is they stay here until they decide to leave. 
Families leave all rights to that child here with the home.  As you saw
coming up here we are very well protected.  My people are Special Forces
trained and we have the firepower to back them up."

   "Yes we saw the tracked vehicles coming up.  But there were just three
men at the main gate."

   John laughed at this comment.  "You were under more fire power than you
saw.  There were seven snipers watching you and people in every tracked
vehicle.  We don't ask questions first, so you were closely watched to
assure you were safe."

   "Just how well defended are you?"

   "That you will never know for sure.  But we can supply you with the
ammunition you need, food and a solar communication system for later.  Once
you have a camp area where your going to stay, if you let us know where
your at, we can provide a little help from time to time."

   "We will be over a hundred miles from here."

   "That is nothing a helicopter can't handle.  But we are kind of a
gatekeeper for people moving to safer places.  Now are all your men and
older boys armed?"

   "No we were able to get rifles for half of our people.  Then only one in
three have enough ammunition."

   "We will trade you weapons that use the same caliber ammunition, for the
ones you have that don't.  Then we will supply you with needed food once we
know how many to feed and what you have now.  We don't have extra wagons,
but can offer you a couple of horses for pack work.  But this will be your
last supply point I am afraid."

   The men were shocked at John's offer to them.  "How in the world can you
do that much?"

   "I have been getting ready for this now for some time.  So I am better
than well prepared.  As I find people who fit your group, I will advise you
and send them your way with supplies.  But I will also send some on to
other safe areas to build settlements there as well.  You will know where
they are and they where you are."

   "That is both dangerous and helpful.  If the wrong people find out it
could be very bad for us.  But if there are people who when times are bad
they could support you it could help."

   "We would of course be very careful who knew where you were and if
needed supply help to defend your settlement."

   "How could you do that?"

   "I think a couple of Cobras and a gun ship might help?"

   "Your that well equipped?"

   "Better than that my man.  Now are you going to need drugs for injuries
and sickness?"

   "We did pick up some antibiotics and things for colds and flu.  But we
have no doctor and no one who could give shots."

   "That we can help with.  Now if you have someone very sick you can call
our doctors and they can walk you through finding out what it is.  Then
they can recommend treatment for that person.  But as a group you need to
make decisions on who should be placed at risk and at what age level.  Then
we will be happy to accept into the school and living quarters the children
most at risk.  Those you feel might not survive out there."

   The men talked for a time and made some decision.  "We are not sure just
who will be at risk among the children.  But the ladies need to be involved
in this.  Do you have any recommendations?"

   "No that is not my place.  But you are going to have to have everyone
able to work once you get where your going.  The group will not have time
to watch children.  You will need homes, defensive positions and some areas
staked out for farming come spring and summer.  Supplying milk early on
will be a tough item to handle.  Life for any child will be no fun in this
new world.  If they are there they will need to work."

   "We need to talk as a group.  I would rather do that without outsiders
if possible?"

   "Fine just let the security team at the gate know if you need me.  We
need to get you to the ferry crossing by late afternoon.  There are three
small houses there for your people to sleep in.  In the morning Jackson
will take you across the river and give you maps.  Once settled you will
need to come back to the river crossing and pick up some cattle to start a
small herd."

   As John left the men started outlining the problems in front of them. 
This included the help offered here by John.  The discussion ran for a long
time before finally coming to some decisions.

   The decision to leave children behind was not an easy one.  Here the cut
off of 11 was a help, in that any child 12 and older had no choice.  The
mothers were not happy, but understood the chance of their child dying was
high if they went on.  Children not born to hardship just did not do well
in that condition.  It was winter and many had colds right now.  That could
easily lead to many lung diseases.  Hospitals were no longer an option out
there or even back home.

   The decision ate at many a man and woman.  But they ended up trying to
give the child the best chance to survive.  John was called to the control
center.

   "Here are the children we feel would be best off staying.  It has been
hard for all of us to take this step.  I know the ladies would like to see
where the children will live just to settle their minds."

   John nodded to Krystal and she walked up and guided the ladies off.  The
planning for these people to move forward was well advanced.  Everything
was already at the center to be loaded.  The old guns that were of a
different caliber were taken for reworking.  One pair of night vision
glasses was supplied.  They had a solar recharger so the batteries stayed
fresh.  The radio system that hooked up with the satellite was ready and
took little training in how to set up and use it.

   "You have given us more to keep us safe than we had when we started."

   "My people advised me of what others would need to survive out here.  We
either bought or obtained via friends what we would need to provide.  Keep
your brass and bring it back to the river each year and we will reload it
for you.  That is something we cannot make more of for you without more
base brass."

   Once the women were back the group left for the crossing point.  It was
a much smaller group of just thirty one people and ready to fight if
needed. Twenty nine children had been added to the orphanage.  The oldest
being a boy of 10.  This brought the orphanage up to 60 children.

   Kelly went down to the living area for the kids and talked with most of
the new comers.  The amount of colds here was a bad thing.  It would run
through the entire group.  This group was now separate from the others
until they were over their colds.  Sam was dealing with all the kids and
doing very well for someone who does not like children.

   This group was a little better educated than the first.  Here there were
no fat children, as most of any fat had been worked off before they got
here.  Most seemed glad not to have to go with their parents.  That
question became one with a good answer.  The parents had required that they
work and do without any play.  If they were caught playing they were
punished.

   Kelly knew today was not fair like the many days before.  That was just
the difference in economic times.

   Dana had met with Dr Kissel and liked the woman.  She had asked many
questions and just let Dana talk about her feelings.  They had set up a
schedule of three meetings a week for the first month.  Then they would
workout a new plan from that point.  But just getting some of what bothered
her off her chest seemed to help.  She at least was not nearly as tense and
was left wondering why she had attacked John the way she did?

   The confusion was really bothering her and she knew next session she
would have to address it.  John had done nothing, he had not even known
about her problem.  Yet she was angry and mad with him.  It just made no
sense to her at all.

   Once back at her desk she got into the study she was now running.  Julie
had helped her set it up and outline what she was looking for.  Not being a
doctor made some of this hard for her.  But she had spent years doing
research without the degrees.

   The wagons moved down the road and the people looked very well armed. 
David had talked with the ladies and let them know a good part of their
safety depended on them.  They had been armed with shotguns with
quadruple-ought 5 ball loads.  It sent out 5 balls of round 38 caliber
shot. Not good for long distance fighting, but deadly in close.  Like less
than fifty yards where most woods would require people to be.

   Jackson set the females up and let them shoot at targets for half an
hour.  They got really good at hitting close to where they aimed.

   "Ladies you don't have to be real accurate with a shotgun.  Once the
shot is just twenty feet away it is spreading out rapidly.  So with one of
these volume of fire is more important than aim.  Every time you shoot
there are five bullets flying down the line of fire.  They are each the
equal to a 38 police special bullet.  You are using pump action guns.  So
you have five shells ready to shoot 25 lead balls as fast as you can pump
the gun and pull the trigger.  Keep them belt high or lower for close in
fighting."

   The ladies now felt like they could add to the defense as well as the
men.  "How long can we help the men?"

   "John supplied you with 1,000 shells per gun.  That is forty boxes of
shells for each of you.  They are packed twenty five to a box.  You also
need to understand these will bring down meat animals.  But once more you
have to be close to do that."

   Jackson showed them how to strip and clean their new guns.  Each was a
fast learner and really good at putting it back together.

   During this time the men had been shown a lot of areas to avoid.  Places
where families had been in these mountains for many years and others where
attacks could be made.  A route had been suggested with a line showing how
to get where they wanted to be.

   Two men had been trained to set the packs on the horses and load them
properly.  There was a real trick to not getting the horses sore.  The rest
of the day had been a training class for them and they had really needed
it.

   After a good nights sleep they got up and cooked breakfast.  It was
still dark and they were packing the wagons and packhorses.  At first light
Jackson came down and loaded them on the ferry.  He fired the motor up and
took them across the river and landed them.

   All were thankful for the safe crossing and for being dry on a cold day.
Had they been required to do this on their own, they would have had to
float the wagons across.  It was a wet messy business and not one for
winter weather.  Especially on a river they knew nothing about, but showed
it was deep with slick rock sides.  This would be a good way to lose people
and goods they could not afford to lose.

   Jackson came back and tied up for the rest of the day.  He had horses to
train and this ferry work was a job he never looked forward to.  The danger
the river provided was a worry he did not need.

   Once he got to the barn he saw the two boys he had been assigned to
train.  Both were seventeen and strong as an ox.  Their dads were miners
and they had played football when there were team sports.  The taller boy
was Simon and the smaller one Thomas.

   "Good morning lads this is just day one of your learning to hate me. 
The reason for that is I am going to push you beyond your limits and then
push harder.  Your going to be traveling places where most would get
killed. My job is to teach you how to survive out there." Jackson waited
and nothing was said.

   "The reports you communicate back here will save hundreds of lives. 
People like the ones that left this morning will be depending on your
information.  One small error will cause the deaths of people who trusted
you.  Now are you sure you can handle that?"

   Both boys said at once.  "Yes sir we can."

   "To start have either of you ridden before?

   Both had and spent hours on horse back.  "That was why we asked for this
job sir."

   "How are your shooting skills?"

   "We are both dead shots and killed most of the meat for the family."

   Well at least David had sent two good boys to start with.  "Our job is
going to be doing the scouting of safe areas for settlement.  Slowly we
will train small groups of young men to do this as well as fight when
needed.  You will find things will become harder as we go forward.  People
will be far less trusting and often will shot first and ask questions
later. So building up relationships with a few good people will help a lot
later."

   "How is this training going to work sir?"

   "Once your checked out with the horses, guns and maps you will be
assigned to one of the special forces people to start running training
missions.  Sometimes you will not want to be seen.  Other times you will
try to meet certain people and start building a relationship.  But you will
always be watching and looking for people who are trouble.  Those will be
noted and you will move on to the next person.  When gangs are found they
must be tracked and broken up or killed off.  Those decisions will be made
by John and not by you.  You can make recommendations and that is it."

   They were getting the picture now.  They were the eyes and ears for the
fighting force and looking for places people could settle with some safety.
But they also had to be ready to fight.  "I am sure we can handle this.  It
uses a lot of the skills we have already developed.  Besides both of us
like adventure."

   "Look it is dangerous and not adventure.  Here you will be risking your
own lives each day.  So you both must use your heads and not take risks
without weighting the odds of survival.  Understand your not bulletproof.
Just one bad move could get both of you killed."

   Some of the real world was now invading theirs.  It caused them both to
see just how bad the world had gotten.  Things today were nothing like when
they were growing up and this was no game.  "I think we see the real facts
now sir.  Just teach us what we need to know."

   John was working on the money situation here.  The credit was the only
usable currency other than precious metals.  Today he was checking to see
just how much money was lost each month.  Oh it was still in the bank, but
people controlled it and not the company.  That was one small hole every
government always had.

   After a long search and discovery he found he lost just about eleven
percent per year.  It would by no means bankrupt the company, but it did
drop the reserves.  This would have to be considered and watched to assure
it did not grow larger.

   He stood and walked out to the barn for some air and a break.

   "Hi daddy you getting stale also?"

   He laughed at this.  "Yes sugar I sure was getting stale.  I am trying
to balance our money to keep us solvent.  That is a job for someone far
better qualified than me.  But right now I need to understand just where we
are at."

   "It really sounds like a computer problem for Tommy and Jimmy.  They
have all the data to do it and track it."

   She was right and that never crossed his mind.  "Thanks for the help. 
That never crossed my mind and it should have."

   "With all the things going on I wonder why you did not think of it? 
Your going to have to slow down if you want to think of everything."

   He knew the truth when he heard it.  "Your right my little one as
normal. But right now is no time for me to slow down.  There is far too
much happening and we must stay ahead of it.  One way to see it is its like
when the lights went out in a city and stayed that way.  At first there is
anger at a temporary disruption and then understanding that this is for
good.  So if I fail to keep people in the loop, we face problems like the
one with power.  It is more that there is a problem, than why it exists for
most people.  They want to know someone is working on it."

   "People are confusing to me Daddy.  If they don't know there is a
problem, how do they expect others to know it exists?"

   "That is just human nature dear.  People expect others to be perfect,
but always excuse themselves from that list."

   Kelly laughed at that, but knew it was true.  "Are we going riding?"

   "I'm afraid not dear.  We have another group coming up to the control
center.  This one really worries me as there are far to few children in it
and way to many men."

   "Do you want me to wonder around and talk with some of the kids?"

   "That would help, but security must know exactly where your at.  I
really have bad feelings about this group."

   Kelly went into the house and dressed down to poor city standards.  She
added some dirt and made sure she looked like she had been playing.  With
the poorer looking clothing and dirt she would not draw much attention.

   John headed down to the center so he was there before the new people. 
"David I am worried about these people."

   "So am I boss something just is not right."

   "Warn everyone that Kelly will be around here dressed down to a poor
level.  They need to keep a watch out for her all the time.  Also keep her
RFID feed running for me.  Also get the snipers out and bring around fifty
men down fully armed and dressed for a fight."

   That was set up quickly, as David had pretty much the same feelings John
did.  Today you just did not completely trust anyone.  He mix of this group
seemed to be wrong, as the ratio of black to white and male to female was
just not right.

   This crossing point to West Virginia was the only one not controlled by
the state police or National Guard.  No one knew how long that would last?
The state could not afford to keep the borders sealed forever.

   The group stopped outside the control centers main yard.  You could see
worry on many male faces.  There were around fifty plus adults in this
group.

   "David I am not happy here, so just disarm and arrest the entire group."

   Two Bradley chain guns swung into position, as did one Cobra overhead.
"Everyone hands up and do not reach for any weapon.  If you do you will be
shot no questions asked.  If there is no reason found for this action, we
will apologize and compensate you.  But for now we will take no risks."

   The men looked around and saw they had no chance to survive.  But two of
the female members decided to push the envelope and were killed quickly. 
At that point every man and woman were cuffed.  Each child searched and
moved to a fenced play yard.

   The troops searched each of the adults and found many weapons.  In the
one wagon they found weapons, ammunition and one machine gun ready to set
up.  They were very well armed and ready for a fight.  They were not
migrating anyplace that the troops could see.

   Kelly had been talking with the children and was getting a lot of
information.  These people were from Roanoke and friends of the band that
had attacked here before.  They had brought over one hundred children and
were hiding them down below to sell as slaves.  But wiping out this small
town was first on their list.

   Carlton took ten men and went to get the rest of the children.  With the
location pretty well pointed out, they could work their way into find these
men holding the children.

   A backhoe was send back to the clearing where the last group was buried.
One more trench was dug for bodies.  John was really pissed at these people
and was going to end this slavery issue now.

   The men and women were stripped and cuffed to a long chain.  Hands
behind backs and then connected to a long chain running person to person.
It was cold enough for this to take a lot of the fight out of the
prisoners. They were allowed to keep their boots or shoes on just to keep
complaining down.

   It was almost two hours later when Carlton came riding up to the center.
He got off the bus and led the children into the building.  "We got ninety
three and that is all that was left.  It seems three died last night and
men raping girls not old enough for sex caused that.  In questioning the
children the men used both girls and boys and the women used the boys for
their pleasure.  There is no child over nine here and many at four to
seven. I would love to cut some cocks and nuts off and just let them bleed
to death."

   "I see no reason for any court proceedings after that report.  They are
either directly guilty or by being an accessory to murder and rape.  Take
them to where the others from Roanoke are buried and do as you wish with
them.  But bury them and let God sort it out."

   The group was marched down to where their friends were waiting for them.
Not one man felt anything but anger and hate right now.

   Sandy and Krystal came to the center and were totally shocked.  "Where
did you get all of these children?"

   "They were taken from mothers and families in Roanoke and brought this
way to be sold as sex slaves or working slaves.  Most have been beaten and
some raped.  Get Sam and Julie to come down and check them out physically.
Get Susan Kissel to come talk with the older children first." John now had
the girls directed.

   The girls led the children down to the new dorms and opened up four so
all could have beds.  Each dorm had rooms for thirty children at two to a
room.  They were told by sex to strip and go to the girls or boys showers.
Once they were clean each was given a robe to wear until the doctors
checked them out.  Sam handled the boys and Julie the girls.

   It was getting close to dinnertime and food for the entire group was
also being prepared.  Mrs.  Minch had at John's request taken over the food
service for the children.  So the food had vastly improved here and she
took great pride in how well the kids were doing health wise.

   Two troopers came down and asked to speak to several children.  After
the discussion they got back on their communications gear and three young
girls were sent back to the center.

   John met them in the conference room.  "OK now I would like to hear your
stories.  But understand you will tell them to three different people. 
Each of you will be in different rooms.  Every fact will be checked out and
just one error means your dead.  You will answer each and every question
without hiding any facts.  Now am I understood?"

   The yes sir came very softly.  But it could be heard.  "David you take
that one and Carlton you get that one.  Here is you list of questions that
must be answered in full." John had pointed each girl out.

   The two men left the room and went to interrogation rooms.

   John looked over this small girl of may be sixteen years of age.  "OK
now what is your name dear?"

   "Shelby sir."

   How old are you Shelby."

   "Fifteen sir."

   "Shelby what happened that ended up with your being with these people?"

   "My dad owed one of the men a debt and he was told he would take me for
payment.  So I was given to him.  I was raped every night since that
happened and thought it would never stop." Now the tears rolled down the
girls face.

   "That has stopped dear and will never happen here.  Don't get me wrong
sex is allowed and enjoyed in our world.  But forced sex is against the law
and punished harshly."

   The girl cocked her head and looked closely at John.  "Your the one
aren't you?"

   "I sorry I am not getting your meaning?"

   "Your picture is on the net and some very scant directions to
Shangri-La. A place of food, work and safety for any child brave enough to
search for it."

   John turned his laptop and his picture was there as was the ad and
directions.  "I am afraid you have caught me dear.  To use those sites you
must think like a child and not an adult.  To them the directions are
pretty clear."

   "But you don't think like a child?"

   "No but my seven year old does.  Kelly put together the tips and
suggestions for the ads.  But she is a seven year old body and a mind that
is your age."

   That Shelby was just not believing.  "That does not work sir."

   John stepped over and called on the intercom for Kelly.  Then a cute
seven year old girl walked in and gave John a big hug.  "I have to use
every excuse I can to get enough hugs from daddy." This was said with
laughter only a child could produce.

   "Is he really your dad?"

   "Yes he is and we share the last name also.  But he did adopt me and
worked with me to help me find a peace I never knew existed.  Before daddy
I was abused and he has helped me handle that issue.  I had choices in
front of me and he answered the questions for me to let me make decisions."

   Shelby was first shocked at her language abilities and then her logic.
"How is it you don't act your age?"

   "Look I am in sixth or seventh grade at 7 or almost 8.  The fact is I am
in different grades in different subjects.  But I was reading books at 3,
so life has been weird for me.  But with daddy I always get honest answers
and complete information.  Our agreement is if I don't want the complete
honest answer then don't ask the question."

   Both girls laughed at that.  "God I wish dad had been that way.  But to
him my sister and me were nothing but sex toys to be used.  He dealt drugs
and had a large client base.  Many were offering daughters to him with
money in short supply.  So my sister and I were expendable."

   "Is your sister in the kids being helped now?"

   The girl hung her head.  "No sir she was raped by ten men and she died
from blood loss.  I buried her near a river and said the only prayer I knew
for her.  What is going to happen to me now sir?"

   "Daddy we have an extra room and with Mrs.  Minch gone, we need some
help with the house right now.  I think this young lady is a good example
for mom to learn from also."

   Shelby knew something was not being said here.  "I am sorry but what
kind of example am I?"

   John brought up the report and turned the laptop to the girl.  She read
the entire report and shook her head.  "God she had it easy."

   John needed for Shelby to sit back and listen.  "That may be true from
your point of view.  But it is far from her point of view.  You both were
raised at different economic levels of life.  So the ideals and basic
concepts of life were different for each of you.  Things she held as being
right were turned upside down by her dad.  He sucked her deeper and deeper
into his black hole.  Then when it could get no worse it did, as she found
out that Kelly here was fathered by her dad.  She had always been lied to
and told she was raped by boys."

   Now Shelby could see a lot of differences and she felt for Kelly's mom.
"I always knew what dad and I did was wrong and really did not care.  It
was not that unusual for kids to have sex with parents or friends in my
neighborhood.  Hell my best friend was fucking her next door neighbor, who
was thirty years older than she was.  But she learned a lot and enjoyed his
making love with her.  I brought home lots of girls on weekends and dad
fucked us both.  But we both wanted it so it caused no problems and he
could not have babies any more.  I sure as hell did not want his kid inside
me."

   John was not so sure bringing Shelby into the house would be a good
thing?  But they could try it and change plans if needed.  "Take her down
to see Julie and get her blood tested for any problems.  Then get her over
to the store and get her clothing for in the house and outside.  Once she
is settled into her room bring her down to the office and we will discuss
her position."

   As matter of fact the way John handled it Shelby was surprised.  "I
thank you sir and I will do what every is asked of me."

   Kelly knew she needed to clear this up fast.  "Look Shelby if dad wanted
anything sexual I would volunteer to handle it.  I have begged him to let
me care for any needs he has and all to no avail.  So don't expect to get
called on to screw him or give him a blowjob.  It is just not going to
happen.  His comment is he is a one woman man."

   This idea was something completely new to Shelby.  "Are there any more
like him here?"

   "Not that I have found so far.  But I keep looking and hoping to find
one."

   The two girls went off to get Shelby set with clothing.  David walked in
and smiled at John.  "It seems you found out what I did.  None of these
girls were involved and all were being used by the men."

   "That pretty well spells it out.  So how old was yours?"

   "She was sixteen and had dropped out of school.  She said she could not
learn."

   "The home life these girls had did not open the way for learning from
books."

   "That is for sure and Carlton had the same results.  His was fourteen
and was not sure she had any skills besides fucking.  So what are we going
to do with them?"

   "Shelby is fifteen and coming home to work filling in for what Mrs. 
Minch did cleaning wise.  I am not so sure she can handle cooking yet.  But
she can most likely be trained over time.  My gut says we don't want them
close to the younger kids now, due to what they have been through.  Placing
them where they can hustle men will not work either.  So tell Jackson he
has two girls to teach how to handle his horse barn.  That barn has a small
apartment in it for a working hand."

   "Is that fair to Jackson?"

   "Warn him they both will be trying to steal his pants and lay him.  If
he wants to maintain control he had best not let that happen.  If control
is no problem then to please try not to get screwed to death."

   David laughed so hard he was having trouble breathing.  "That will be
interesting to see how it goes."

   "Take them both to the store and outfit them for the barns.  Be sure
they have food for their kitchen and linens for the beds and bath.  Then
have Jackson pick them up and settle them into the barn apartment.  Be sure
to tell him if they come after him knock his self out, but treat them like
ladies.  But if he goes after them I'll cut his balls off."

   David like just how John had stated the case.  "I sent blood samples to
the lab for a quick check.  Both were fine on the quick check.  So I think
Jackson will be OK if they do attack him."

   David went out and collected the girls and went to get what John ordered
done complete.

















   Chapter 13

   The time of late winter was bringing many each week to the crossing.  It
was not because it was well known, but because the state had blocked off so
many other routes.  The government of West Virginia had fallen and local
towns and counties had formed protective associations.  Only a few people
could provide passes through these protected zones.  Because of the care
John and his people took processing groups, he could write a pass for most
of the southern part of the state.  People he did that for were always
passing through and never planning to stay.

   The wooded places picked to send people to were remote enough not to
draw much attention.  The first group to pass through was now well housed
in caves they had found and were building cabins.  They checked in once a
week and updated the center on their location.  Information was passed on
to them for future use.  There was two more starting their building now.

   So far they had twelve groups out building communities.  But three were
well ahead of the rest.  Each would receive new people from time to time.
But all were in either federal forestland or wood pulp for paper and
timberlands.  None of this had an owner now days.  Due to lack of roads and
development existing government just had no interest in this land.

   Current news reports John was able to pick up showed DC was a ghost
town. The federal buildings had just been locked up and left.  Richmond was
no better off except gangs had burned most of the state buildings.  At
least in DC the troops had been there long enough to see the gangs that
were left leave the city.  Food had been the main driving force as a reason
to leave.

   Looking over the world no major groups except China and Russia had
operating national governments right now.  Japan was reorganizing its
government.  But the EU was a mess of small local governments trying to run
their areas.  National pride was getting in the way of any progress.

   China and Russia were hanging on by their fingertips.  Both groups of
people were so used to being forced to accept whatever government said or
did they were slow to fight any demand.  But that was changing, as food was
no longer available to the government.  This before was a club to beat
people into line.  It started in the far reaches of each country and would
slowly like a tide cover it all.

   Right now John was worried about building his area of support and
control.  The area of land he now had for the company would support him and
his people for some time.  But they would need a wider area of influence to
be able to organize a stronger mini government.  The goal was to take the
southern half of West Virginia and the southwest part of Virginia.  This
would give them people and land to build a civilization from.  It would
take time to build this from Bristol to the Blue Ridge in Virginia and from
Wayne to Charleston to Elkins south in West Virginia.  This was not an easy
place to travel and communications were going to be tough.  But there was
safety here as the mountains made some rough barriers to overcome.

   Once the maps were posted in the command center and in John's office it
was now everyone's goal.  The area in green was the safety zone and it was
small.  But they had three other areas now with small green dots besides
their living area.  The mountain areas were consider by many to be
undereducated and the people not nearly as bright as city folks.  That was
far off the mark as people here were far better at handling adversity.

   The attitude of self sufficiency was one long taught here.  It was true
they did not have some of the writing skills, reading abilities or even
advanced math skills.  But they did know how to survive and care for their
families.  That was something all the degrees could never teach.

   Carlton was slowly recruiting men from the surrounding areas.  He set up
small military camps that small towns and farmers could call on for help
defending their land.  These people were paid with food and ammunition they
needed.  Money was far from their needs right now.

   Over the past three months groups totaling seven hundred troops had been
formed for defense.  If they were out numbered they could call on John for
help and support by chopper or gun ship.  He could get them help fast once
they contacted the command center.

   One advancement made was the solar power chargers for cell phones.  They
also had most of the cell towers back up in the areas they existed around
Shangri-La.  These would be added to as time went on.  But converting them
to solar and battery reduced the traffic they could handle from the old
days.

   It was a nice day and John was sitting outside just looking at the
mountaintop.  "It is time you took a break dear.  From the start of the
year things have demanded your attention.  But now it seems to have settled
down some?" Dana was once more a happy lady.

   "I was just sitting here wondering just how long it is going to take to
rebuild?  That made me think of what changes will have to be made to govern
the people?  The way it was done before just did not work.  Parties and
elections are not the way of a solid government.  Too many ideas and no
experience tend to cause failure."

   "I have been reading your ideas on that.  They seem fairly sound and
well reasoned out.  One I really liked was no lawyers and laws that all
could understand.  The fact police were just gathers of fact and reported
it to judges was nice.  A judge being appointed for life meant no
interfering with honest justice.  Having a supreme justice to review every
conviction and with the right to over rule a decision, will make a judge
think.  A judge getting convicted of misuse of their authority by being
overturned too often would send a real message."

   "Law is the only way to control people and do it fairly.  They need to
have rights, but they must be the same for everyone.  Here the law is equal
and if you feel wronged file your own case.  But if you loose it will cost
you for the time of each person involved.  If you win then the loser pays
that cost.  But I have a long way to go before I have a sound format for a
government that should work."

   "Well we know the one we had did not work in today's world.  So what is
done this time needs to be different than before."

   "The problem as I see it is the federal government tried to over see far
too much.  There was no clear dividing line between local, state or federal
responsibility that could not be over stepped.  Each level of government
must have limits and responsibilities spelled out clearly.  Failure to meet
those requirements should be a crime.  Someone must be held responsible for
every action taken."

   "Where do you start my dear?"

   "I guess a meeting of selected people for now.  We are going to have to
find ways to finance a government, keep from taxing people to death and
make the money have value.  That is just to start Dana."

   They walked into the house and Shelby had dinner ready for them.  She
had turned into a fast learner when it came to cooking.  The group
discussed John problems coming up and some ideas were offered.  It was fun
for them to discuss it and John enjoyed listening to ideas with how to
defend them.  None were fit as they were stated to work, but small pieces
were stored for future consideration.  Great ideas were made up of many
smaller pieces and fitted together.

   Dana and John listened to music for a good two hours after dinner.  Then
both headed to the shower together.  This had now become a common every
night happening for them.  They enjoyed the washing of each other's body
and the closeness it brought to them.

   "God I get so over sexed just washing your body John."

   "Not over at all my dear just well sexed up for making love.  The two
extra passengers are I hope are not to disturbed by our games." John
laughed at the look on Dana's face.

   "What do you mean disturbed?"

   "Kelly says they will come out talking.  Your going to be sure they were
having sex while moving around in your belly.  So we might be teaching them
bad habits?  " Now both were laughing and yet they knew he might not be far
wrong.

   Once in bed John just started rubbing her breasts and nipples.  It was
more than enough to get her running in high gear.  He slowly nibbled down
to her breasts and started sucking her nipple.  The other was being rolled
in his fingers.

   Dana was lost to the world and if it all exploded now she would miss it.
Feelings were rolling over her body she loved and never knew were possible
except after he came into her life.

   The slow track down her belly to her pussy was sheer torture.  Then when
he licked her from bottom to top of her slit, she was going out of her
mind. Her ability to stay focused was always lost to her.  Her body was
always taken over by feelings John created for her enjoyment.  It was sheer
pleasure for her and more than she could often take.  Many times she
blacked out after a massive climax.

   Then he mounted her and started slowly sliding in and out.  No hurry,
just a slow rhythm that felt nice.  This build into a faster and faster
tempo and all at once he exploded inside her and it took her over once more
as well.

   Dana had sworn she was going to slide down and suck him clean one day.
Se had not passed 0out this time so tonight was the night.  She moved
quickly to prevent John from saying one word.  Without covers it was not
hard to see where she was going.  Once she was at his waist she took his
cock into her mouth and started sucking.

   This was new for her and she wondered just how it was going to taste? 
But it was really good, as it tasted like both of them.  She loved John's
cum and with her flavor it was a nice taste.  She did notice his cock did
not shrink now and stayed hard.  That could be a bonus, as she had always
wanted to mount him and ride for a longtime after steamy sex with him.

   Slowly she mounted him and started to ride him.  It was nice and felt
far better than she had dreamed.  John had offered her the chance to be on
top many times, but she had refused, as she liked being dominated.  The
fact she was making love to John was ever so nice.  He had told her she
would enjoy this feeling and she had turned it down.  Why was she so dumb
she just could not at least try something new?

   It took about half and hour and she was moving so fast she went off like
a rocket.  It was a strong orgasm and felt very good.  John had played with
her nipples and clit the entire time she had ridden him.  But he had not
cum when she did.  So she got down and stared sucking him off.  Once all
the way in her mouth and swallowing him he just could hold back no longer.
She slid her mouth out to the head and sucked as hard as she could to get
it all.  It was so nice to have him used her mouth that she came just
drinking his cum.

   "God John I love you so much and love the way you make me feel."

   "I love you too my lover.  It seems you got adventurous tonight?"

   Her smile was enough to light the room.  "Yes as normal you were right I
love being on top some of the time.  It allows me to give some feeling to
you and that is nice."

   "I got the feelings when you started sucking my cock dear.  That would
have been hard not to notice."

   She laughed and snuggled into him to be held.  Once under the covers
they drifted off to sleep.

   The next morning John was first up as normal.  He had finished his
shower and was shaving when Dana walked in.  "How can you get up so early?
I still need a couple hours sleep to catch up from last night."

   "Look I hate being up early, but know I have to do it.  So better to
just do what I know must be done than fight it.  If I am tired I'll just
take a nap and then keep going."

   "It would be nice if I could do that.  But I just don't seem to be able
to accomplish it."

   "Catch David or Carlton and ask them how they train their people to get
short naps on marches.  They keep their people very effective with short
nap times."

   John headed down to the kitchen and Shelby was ready with his coffee. 
"Good morning John I would ask how you slept, but after the noise last
night I would say very well." She was laughing now.

   "Hey I am a quiet lover and never make much noise."

   "You need to train Dana then.  She makes up for an entire room of little
girls."

   "Sorry Shelby I see if we can't hold it down some."

   "God don't do that or I'll have to come sit outside your door to
masturbate.  At least I get great cums out of your love making."

   "I heard that and will be sure he changes nothing or I'll have to meet
you outside his door." Kelly was smiling at John's discomfort.

   "You two shameless girls will be the death of me." John knew it was
fight back or lose.

   "Did I miss something?" Dana walked in the kitchen.

   "Shelby was complaining about how loud we were.  So I said I'd work on
fixing her hearing the noise.  Then both girls complained they would have
to come sit by the door to masturbate if I did that."

   Dana was now laughing hard.  "Well girls he will be at his worst from my
eight month to six weeks after these two are born.  No sex will be
happening vaginally during that time.  So if you ever expect to get laid
catch him between those two times."

   "Damn Dana I have enough trouble without your pointing out when I will
be horniest over the next few months.  It almost sounds like your
suggesting to the girls to handle that."

   "That would be a good thing for them to do.  It at least keeps you at
home and not out looking."

   John was completely red now and just did not know how to handle this. 
"Give me a break and stop the nonsense.  Now if you want a divorce just say
so." He got up and headed to his office without eating.

   "I think I pissed him off girls?  At least I tried to get you into his
bed so you could know how it should feel.  It would be nice once in a while
to just watch him make someone else happy.  He does tend to wear me out and
I need a day or two to rest."

   Now Kelly's mind opened up and she was going to make this work.  Mom
said she and Shelby could fuck dad and she was not going to let this pass.
There was time to plan this and make it work.

   "Well we need to get him back in a good mood today.  Shelby fix him a
breakfast sandwich and take some coffee with it to him.  I`ll handle
getting him laughing again.  Mom you just stay clear until we have
succeeded."

   "Hey I don't want to walk into his office when he is that pissed.  He
really needs to chat with Susan some.  I though I had issues, but he does
as well."

   One more idea to add to her plan and she was a planner.  This she had
time for and it made life easy for her.

   Kelly and John went riding that afternoon.  The area was very cool, but
not cold.  They got to the river barn and stable.  Jackson was training a
new group of boys for scouting.  John and Kelly watched this for a good
time before Jackson saw them.

   "Hey boss you are supposed to let me know you're here."

   "Why I found what you were saying and doing was interesting.  So it lets
me get an idea of what we are training people.  Now I need a group to ride
to each small city or town and ask to meet with their counsel.  I need to
know if they would like to look at forming a new country out of many areas
in West Virginia and Virginia.  It will take a lot of work, planning and
compromise by everyone.  But we have to start rebuilding something that
works sometime."

   Jackson saw the idea was one that was a good one.  "I would like to do
this run boss and I'll take these young men with me.  It would be a good
training mission for them.  Now do you have this all printed up for them to
study?"

   "Yes stop by the printing plant and pick up two bundles, that will need
to be handled on a pack horse.  Your not going to be able to hit every
town, but get as many as possible.  Then let those discuss it with others.
Leave several copies of the information with each town.  Post copies at
cross roads that are heavily used.  It could take as much as a year to get
the first meeting pulled together."

   "If we don't do something it will never happen either.  I will not enter
Roanoke or Bristol Virginia, as they are both way to dangerous.  But we
will get smaller areas and be sure some loose ones get carried into the
larger cities.  I do hope no map or directions are on these?"

   John had to laugh.  "I am not that dumb Jackson.  You will have one
hundred solar chargers for cell phones and a number is printed in the
information.  But that is the only contact information there is.  You will
need the name of the user and numbers of any cell phones to be used, so we
can add it to the circuit.  So take your time and keep security posted on
where your at and where your headed."

   "Done boss and we will head out early tomorrow morning.  I'll get the
packs set up and draw food for us.  We will have to make a few stops back
here to restock and move in a different direction.  But in the next 60 days
we should have most of this completed."

   "You can send a couple of other teams out Jackson."

   "That is true, but then I would not get the same feelings on how this is
going to go?"

   "My guess right now is something like hell no.  But that will slowly
change, as the problems get worse.  It is time to start tilling the soil,
so we can plant when the time is right.  People are not read yet for any
government that would have control over their daily life.  But that will
soon be changing for most.  You will find people like others to handle
problems they can't.  Those are growing each day now."

   Jackson just shook his head.  "I for sure don't understand what your
saying.  But I'll get the word out to the towns and people."

   As they rode back home Kelly had her normal questions?  "Daddy why
aren't people ready for a fair government?"

   "They don't know it will be fair?  So they will have many questions that
need answers before they would agree.  Often they have been promised things
that never happened.  That was just how politicians worked before."

   The answer did make sense and she knew it was honest.  "Can you offer
something better?"

   "I have some ideas that would work, but people would need to buy into
them."

   They unsaddled the horses and brushed them down before stalling them. 
Next was hay and some grain to keep them until morning.  Dana did not like
riding much so her horse had been sent back to the river barn.  This had
become Kelly and John's way of having some time together most days, without
schoolwork or his job in the way.

   The life here had changed so much over the last few months most would
not recognize the town and people.  The men and older boys were wearing
uniforms and always armed.  Many of the older girls had accepted a period
of military service.  So they were uniformed as well.  This had caused some
to raise a fuss for a time, but the girls had cooled it quickly.

   Many were in communications, nursing, maintenance, supply and the likes.
But there also were tracked vehicle crews, pilots, snipers and a few in the
scouts.  These were not wallflowers and hated to hear people say they
should be.

   John was a little surprised when he walked into his office and found
Carlton sitting there with a girl of may be eighteen who could not weigh
more than ninety pounds soaking wet.  She might have been close to five
feet tall, but sitting down he could not tell.

   "Now Carlton why do I feel I am not going to like this?"

   "May be because your not boss."

   I looked at the girl and saw just how serious she looked.  "Go ahead and
tell me the story."

   "Dink here was working field cleaning a weapon to get the protective
coating off, as it was a new weapon.  She was alone in the area we use for
this activity.  One of the troopers I brought from Bragg decided he was
going to rape her.  That did not work out well for him at all."

   John sat back now and wondered just what had happened?  "First of all
why do you call her Dink?  That seems a little derogatory to me."

   "Sir it is OK with me as my dad called me that from the time I could
remember.  I am small and it started as dinky duck and just grew to Dink."

   Well if she did not mind I was not going to push it.  "What happened
while you were cleaning the weapon?"

   "The guy watched me for a time and I said nothing to let him know, I
knew he was there.  He then came out and told me he was going to enjoy
fucking me.  It seems he had the idea that small females would have very
tight pussies.  He made the mistake of dropping his pants and I took his
knee out.  When he started to get up I dropped him with a kick to his
balls. After that he did not try to stand again."

   I had been watching Carlton and saw his smile.  "Just how big was this
guy?"

   She considered this before answering.  "May be six three and 210 pounds?
He was very well built and I am really sorry I hurt him so bad."

   It was all I could do not to laugh.  This little female had taken out
one of Carlton's bad boys and she was sorry?  "Where did you learn to
protect yourself that way?"

   The girl blushed and was slow answering.  "I have taken classes now for
the past year with Dana.  She said I had a natural talent and spent a lot
of extra time working with me.  But sir I lost my temper and let that
control me.  That just was not the right way to handle this."

   John was not sure what he would say was the right way?  "First of all
the man was breaking the law.  Second that particular law calls for life in
prison for a conviction.  He did not have to complete the rape, just state
that was his intent.  Now it jus so happens we have a video camera and
sound down there.  My gut tells me you have been rather kind in how you
described this event." He called Jimmy and had a copy of the feed sent to
his computer.

   They all sat and watched and listened to the entire event as it played
out.  The trooper was crude and very explicit as to what was going to
happen.  The girl was blushing the entire time it played.

   John picked up his phone and called the hospital.  "Sam this is John and
the guy you have with the knee problem.  I was him castrated for his crime.
Ask Jimmy to give you the feed from today's fight and you will see why. 
Carlton is sitting here as we talk and is nodding his head as well."

   Dink looked distressed now.  "Why did you do that?"

   "It was do that or put him in prison for the rest of his life.  We could
never trust him around any young girl any more.  I know I would cut his
dick off if he pulled it out on my daughter.  So now he has no reason to do
that.  Over time the urge will just go away.  But his next assignment will
be a front line one."

   "I feel bad about creating all this trouble."

   "You saved us a disaster Dink.  If he had gone on an assignment and
raped a town girl while out, he would have caused us a major problem.  We
have to be people others can trust to turn things around.  We had a weak
link and you found it and fixed it."

   The girl saw what John was saying and could at least accept it.  She and
Carlton stood and left the office.





























   Chapter 14

   The spring was getting busier as people were looking for more food and
cities were no longer able to supply it.  The larger cities had every food
store broken into and carried off long ago.  Because of lack of power no
fuel could be pumped and most fuel stops were empty of food, but not of
fuel.

   Jackson had been out now for a good time trying to contact people and
get John's plan to them.  The West Virginian area had been covered pretty
well.  Now he was working his way to Blacksburg and just outside of
Roanoke. With a well armed and mounted troop of twenty he was not worried
about being attacked.  But he had divided responsibilities and a small
protective force riding just out of sight.  They had communications with
the base center as well as Jackson.

   The lunch break had not been cooked food, so they used power bars to be
able to keep going at a good pace.  This had been watched by a small group
of gang members from Roanoke.  They had been looting and raping the small
farms out here.  From what they could see it looked like close to a fair
fight.  They did not like that, but the horses would make their lives
easier.

   The group set up to fire from cover and at a range of just about fifty
yards.  With their small caliber weapons that was just about max range for
being accurate.  Each chose a position and waited for a hand signal.

   Once in position they were aware only of what was in front of them. 
Each had a target and was ready to kill them.  The leader was the first to
drop as a crack of a pistol sounded.  The gang never got more than a couple
shots off before they were killed.

   Jackson walked over and looked down at the dead bodies.  "Damn fools had
no real training and paid for it.  This is the seventh group we have
removed from our area so far.  Load up the loot they had including the
weapons and let's get out of here.  We will let the buzzards do their
work."

   This group had one scrawny packhorse and it was now loaded.  They headed
into Blacksburg and the police station if it still existed?

   Once inside the town they saw a few people walking the sidewalks.  As a
group they looked like normal town people.  Jackson asked for directions
and was given good ones.

   His troop dismounted and held their horses until one officer came out.
"Sorry to bother you officer.  But a group of around thirteen I believe
were raiding farms around this area attacked us.  They are dead and we
wanted to drop off their loot and let you sort it out."

   "Who the hell are you people?"

   "If you have heard of a place out here called Shangri-La then you know
where we are from.  Now I need to talk with whoever is leading this town
and give them some information."

   "What is your hurry?"

   "I have air cover tomorrow to go down Christiansburg Mountain.  We
expect to have to fight our way down to Salem to deliver the same
information.  So far people as far as the southern half of West Virginia
has it and now we will be sure it is out there from Roanoke to Bristol."

   The officer knew he had some strong people here.  "What makes you think
you can leave here?"

   Jackson picked his mike up and said now.  Suddenly three choppers and
two gun ships were sitting behind him.  "Now I have fifty Special Forces
personnel in the choppers and you know what the gun ships can do.  So get
the people I need here and now."

   The officer said nothing else and ran into the station and three men
came out.  They looked at the backing here and knew this was no game.  "OK
I am the mayor, this is the judge and our police chief."

   Jackson handed them one copy of the information John had printed.  "I
suggest you read that carefully and consider it.  Here is a cell phone and
I will need a name to set it up.  John will only talk with one of you so
make a choice.  Then use this solar charger to keep it operational.  If
your in agreement with us we will provide support as you needed it like
what you see behind me.  It takes just twenty minutes to get this much
support here."

   As Jackson turned he walked to his horse and one officer lifted his
weapon and was shot fast.  Not to kill, but to disable him.  "That man is
one who was providing information to the gang we killed.  He has a brother
here who was working with him as well."

   The police chief pulled his gun and took aim at the mayor.  "Your under
arrest and God help you if the people find out about this.  They will storm
the jail and hang you with that no good brother of yours."

   Jackson and his men headed off with the cover he needed to assure his
getting out of town.  He was always surprised at how hard it was to get
away after leaving the information.  They camped on top of the mountain and
posted a guard at the top to watch for human traffic.

   Tonight they cooked a hot meal and enjoyed a good nights sleep.  It took
an hour to work their way down the mountain.  The gun ship had taken out
several gun emplacements and stopped groups from killing his people.  Using
IR to find those points and then using the chain guns made fast work of
that site.

   As Jackson came to the bottom of the mountain he was shocked to find two
girls sitting by the road.  One was may be fifteen and the other ten. 
"Ladies what are you doing sitting by the road?"

   The older girl looked up at him.  "Just waiting for our new owners sir."

   He dismounted and walked over to the girls.  "Look where we come from no
one is owned.  Girls your age are in school and for sure cleaner than
either of you.  We also make sure our ladies are well fed."

   The girl blushed and he liked seeing it.  She was beautiful and someone
a man could fall for easily.  He offered both girls food and water.  Both
took it quickly and disposed of it fast.

   "Now are we going to have to fight our way down the entire highway 460
to Salem?"

   "No one has ever gotten down the mountain before, so that was the only
guard posts."

   "Where do you two come from?"

   "Our family was part of a group leaving for Shangri-La and were ambushed
here trying to leave this valley.  That was almost a year ago."

   "Well ladies Shangri-La has come for you.  Now we are going to have to
put you behind a couple of us to get out of this area.  But we will have a
chopper coming to take you back to our base.  There you will get medical
attention, food, clothing and any care you may need.  Understand a lot of
questions will be asked and the answers are important for the future."

   "We will answer any we can sir."

   "Look you don't have to call me sir.  Most called me Jackson, as I
prefer it to Samuel, which my mother named me.  I run the out riding
patrols for our camps safety.  That covers training horseback riding, rifle
training, survival, map reading and many skills not used for many years
now."

   She was impressed with Jackson and it showed.  "Can I ride with you?"

   "For whatever time that takes to get you on a helicopter and back to
base."

   He lifted the ten year old up behind his number two and she weighed
nothing to speak of.  He could feel her ribs and her legs were almost all
bone.  "I assume that is your sister?"

   "Yes she almost died this winter as she had bad bronchitis.  I was able
to get food for her by stealing it from the men holding us.  They were
going to let her die.  She is still not strong and has some bad times yet."

   "I am sure they will put her in the hospital once at the camp.  We have
the drugs she needs and lots of good food to put some weight back on.  I
assure you Mrs.  Minch will see to that."

   "The place your talking about sounds like heaven." She held on tight to
Jackson as they rode.

   He heard it well before most did and pulled up.  Once down he got both
girls and led them to a spot for the chopper to land.  He walked them to
the cabin and lifted them up.  The older girl leaned out and kissed him and
he almost fainted.

   The crew not having seen the act, lifted off before he could close the
door.  So the girls had to fight it closed.

   The group started the trip to Salem.  Simon and Thomas rode next to
Jackson.  They knew he needed support right now.

   Once the chopper was down the girls were taken to John's office.  Shelby
had food laid out for them and lots to drink.

   "Ladies fell free to eat as much as you wish.  But if you go beyond
reason you will get sick.  We will keep feeding you for some time more than
just three meals a day.  You have lost weight and muscle mass and need to
rebuild it back."

   Both girls smiled at John.  But Pam had a question.  "Sir will I ever
get to see Jackson again?"

   "I am sure you will, but for now he is doing something for me very
special."

   "I want to get to know him well sir.  He is a man that I can respect and
I think we hit it off in many ways.  It is not that he did anything, but
the look on his face said he wanted to."

   John smiled at this and knew she was most likely right.  She was just
far too beautiful a young lady.  He asked many questions and most they
could answer.  Just a few were things they did not know.

   Julie came in and watched John talk with the girls for a time.  "OK
ladies it is time to come with me.  I am Julie and your doctor for the next
few days.  You will be spending the next three days in the hospital and
then we will settle you into quarters I am sure you'll like."

   John enjoyed Julie and liked her way of dealing with children.  "Now if
you listen really well, Julie has been known to bake some very good
chocolate chip cookies and give them away."

   Both girls were laughing as she led them away.  "Well Dave what do you
think?"

   "It does not sound good at all for Jackson.  They will not be able to
come home as they went in."

   "I gave them two different routes out different from the one in.  My
hope is they take the Poor Mountain to Bent Mountain way out.  They will
hit 221 between the two mountains.  It will be easy to fly over and protect
them.  They also never have to go all the way into Salem for that meeting.
The other is by 311 to old 42 that comes out north of Blacksburg.  This way
we keep them directly out of the cities downtown.  No fighting going in or
coming out."

   "I have a troop leaving for Pulaski and down route 11 to cut their work
short.  This will let them get a break, as they have been under the gun now
for two months."

   "If your going to bring them back then the 311 route would be best. 
Where they meet 460 north of Blacksburg they are about 100 miles from home
by horse.  They can move over back roads and never be seen."

   "I'll order it and be sure they are covered.  Jackson has done an
outstanding job, both in training and in getting people to respond to us.
We now have eighty two towns interested in initiating a more formal
government.  A date has been set for the last Monday in August for a
meeting here.  If we get the same response on the Virginia side then we
have a good chance of pulling this off."

   "In my humble opinion we will carry the Virginia cities and counties. 
Then we have a much larger area to cover and control.  That could end up
being a nightmare or a pleasure?" John was really not sure which that would
be.

   "Well boss I'll handle Jackson for now and follow my troops moving to
Bristol."

   "How large is that force?"

   "I sent fifty in two groups of twenty five to make it quicker.  But we
will cover most of the towns of any size at all.  That is any town over one
thousand people before this disaster."

   "Be sure that county leaders get information also.  Remember in Virginia
counties are separate government entities.  No city is in a county and no
county had authority in a city."

   "You know that always confused me."

   "It is the way the commonwealth set up years ago.  For most not raised
in this system it would be confusing."

   John moved to his next project and was ready.  "OK Kelly you have been a
very quiet lady."

   "Rhonda is really bad off John and Pam is doing all she can.  It is more
mental than physical.  I think she saw her mom and dad killed and it has
gotten to her."

   This made some sense to him.  "I never heard her say a word while they
were here."

   "She may speak to Pam, but not in front of others.  Pam needs Jackson to
be a rock for her, to shelter her right now."

   "If Susan agrees with you I will act and fast.  But you need to go talk
with her and let her talk with both girls."

   Kelly was off in a flash and waiting for Susan when she got to her
office.  "To what do I owe this visit to?"

   "We have a problem and you need to get involved." Kelly explained her
ideas and thoughts to her.

   "I think your right dear and smart as hell to pick it up so fast.  Tell
your dad I need Jackson as soon as I can have him.  He is the one both
girls feel they owe their lives to.  I am really going to make him
uncomfortable for a time."

   Kelly headed to John's office and Susan to the hospital.

   Once she walked into his office she sat down.  "OK what is the situation
now?"

   "Susan wants Jackson and she agrees with me about the problem."

   "I sent for him after you left.  He met with the Salem people and was
heading back home.  So Simon and Thomas will bring the troops back and we
are picking Jackson up."

   "Tell Susan I want to see her before she takes any actions."

   Kelly was off once more to talk with Susan.  John called Krystal and
Sandy and asked them to come talk.

   The two girls walked in and sat.  "OK I am not going to like this I can
tell Sandy." Krystal was firm in her statement.

   "Seeing as I don't like it I am sure you won't either." Then he
explained about the two girls and the most likely problem.

   "That would be hard to take for an adult.  But a nine year old and may
be a fourteen year old?  If Jackson will take her I think you need to let
them marry.  That will also help with her sister by giving the little one
some new family.  Family really needs to be replaced and fast here."
Krystal was fast at her conclusions.

   "I have Susan with them now and she is checking them out.  But from what
I am hearing you don't want them down in your area?"

   Sandy now took up the task.  "Every kid we have has problems, but none
like these two.  We don't need new serious problems to be added into the
mix right now.  Our little world is way overloaded."

   He now knew exactly where he was at.  "OK girls thanks for the
information.  If I decide to send them to your area I will replace you
before I do that." Now he turned and started working on his next project.

   Sandy looked at Krystal and shook her head.  "I think we just got told
we are on very thin ice.  John expected help from us and got bullshit.  So
I can't much blame him."

   "May be we need to go back and apologize?"

   "No way am I going back in there right now.  He has never complained
about us needing anything.  If we needed it, we got it.  That may not be so
easy for a time now."

   John was not happy with the response he got from Krystal and Sandy.  But
as he considered it he did see where they were overloaded right now with
children.  Both had little time to deal with individual problems.

   Susan walked in with Kelly and took a seat.  "You sure bring me some
troubled people and children."

   "You chose your field, so live with it."

   Susan laughed and enjoyed this jousting.  "True I did and often ask
myself why?  But we have two troubled girls.  The little one saw her
parents killed and it is doing a number on her.  Pam feels guilty for not
protecting her sister and needs to prove she has value."

   As John listened and understood the problems, he could see where Jackson
might be able to help.  "What if I let Jackson and the two girls move into
that old farm house down by the river.  They could help him with the horses
and some general farm work for now.  It has three bedrooms so each could
have a room for their own."

   "You know Pam is going to go after Jackson don't you?"

   "That needs to work itself out without our help.  We don't need to
become matchmakers here, just let whatever happens happen.  If we try to
manage it then any blame for errors is ours.  I will not suggest their
getting together or put road blocks up to stop it."

   "I will need to see both of them for some time to come."

   "Then do it out at the farm where you can sit by the river or under a
tree.  The less people around both girls for a time the better.  I have a
good young Golden Retriever being trained for protection.  I will have him
sent to Rhonda and give the little one something to bond with."

   "That will work nicely and she will bond with him.  I don't mind doing
my visits out there either.  It just might open things up quicker?  Will
the bus take me that far?"

   "Nope it won't, but stop by the command center and they will drive you
and pick you back up.  Just tell Carlton I said to handle that for me."

   Susan left the office.  John ordered the house be cleaned and made ready
for use.  He had nice furniture installed and all household goods needed
put there.

   Jackson walked into the office.  "OK boss what's the big hurry today?"

   "You have been elected baby sitter of the year.  Thomas and Simon will
lead the teams on all future missions.  Your job will be to train more
scouts and get them mounted on good horses.  Now there is just one more
small problem.  You will be helping the two girls you found readjust to
life.  Use them at the farmhouse and in the barns and fields.  They needed
to learn and adjust to being free once more."

   Jackson knew he was in trouble now.  "John if that older girl Pam asked
me I would try to walk on water.  This is not a good idea."

   "They trust you and that is something they don't have much of.  Both
need someone they trust to talk with and need to feel someone cares.  They
need work to build self-esteem.  I am asking you to take on an adult job
for these two girls."

   "But what if I fall in love with Pam and she does not feel that way
about me?"

   "Like a man you will just have to suck it up and go forward.  Now get
out to the house and make sure it will be ready in two days.  You did one
hell of a good job on your mission and I know this will go fine."

   Jackson felt like he was walking to his execution.  He knew nothing
about females and was sure he would screw it up.

   Carlton had been waiting for him and saw his worried look.  "You look
like someone just shot your horse."

   "I feel worse and it is not going to get better.  John wants me to help
those two girls get back into life.  I know nothing about females and even
less about dealing with problems they have."

   "Now I know you are a human male.  None of us is all that smart about
the female of the species.  They are always a big question to us and we
just never seem to find the answers.  We are logical and females are
emotionally driven.  If you ever understand one then your way out in front
of the rest of us."

   Now Jackson laughed and it felt good.  "I'll get the house set up and
food in so we can at least eat.  Has anyone told dad I will not be staying
at home?"

   "Yes and he knows why.  There you will have no problems.  The guards
along the river have been told to keep any away from the house.  They also
will stay unseen."

   Jackson went to the jeep and was driven home.  He had lots of work to
get done and wanted a plan in place.  He walked into the house and was
surprised it was clean and well stocked.  The beds were made and baths had
towels.  His clothing had been moved in and he saw each girl had new
clothing in drawers for them.  The houses air conditioning was running and
it felt nice.  Here it did not take a lot of this in summer to keep a home
feeling good.

   When he got to his office he sat at the desk and started on his
planning. This was a place he felt comfortable.  It took little time to get
a basic plan together and start looking where the girls could be fitted in.
After a couple hours he decided a shower and some food would be nice.

   Once in the kitchen he started coffee.  In the refrigerator he found all
kinds of cooked food.  He dished some out and set it in the microwave and
warmed it.  The cooking at first was solved.

   Susan walked in and saw the coffee.  She got a cup and sat down across
from Jackson.  "I assume your accepting John's request?"

   "With great reluctance and fear.  Pam is enough to make a man wilt and I
don't want her hating me."

   "Well to both of those girls they see you as their savior.  Both had
given up and were just marking time before they died.  They had been
planning it as much as they could without Rhonda talking."

   "God I hope I can help them?  But I am scared I will do something that
will hurt them or make them not like me."

   "That is not likely Jackson.  If you don't try to force them into
anything and they walk willingly into it, there will be no problem. 
Understand both these girls have been used and abused since their parents
died.  For a nine year old that can be painful and not pleasant.  For Pam
it was really hard, as she had to protect her sister as much as possible.
She feels like she failed her little sister.  Neither girl had felt anyone
loved them in a long time now.  Then fun that is a concept they both don't
understand any more."

   "OK I get the picture.  When will they be coming here?"

   "In just a few minutes time now.  Just let them take the lead and please
don't reject either of them.  They need one human they can trust and depend
on.  For both it has to be a male and one they can love.  Both seem to
think you fit that description."

   That was a nice thought, but he was worried about being dumb and
destroying any relationship.  He would remind himself to think with the
right head.

   The girls when they came in ran to Jackson and hugged and kissed him. 
He could feel their love and it felt good to him.  "You two look so much
more beautiful now than the last time I saw you.  You were kind of in rags
and not very clean."

   Pam smiled at the picture he had shown them.  "I guess we were pretty
bad off.  But then you came into our lives.  From then on things have
gotten much better."

   Both girls held onto Jackson like he was keeping them afloat.  "Are
either of you hungry or need something to drink?"

   "No we would like to see the farm and John said Rhonda had a present her
for her."

   "OK then follow me and we will go looking."

   They walked by the river and to the fields were the horses were.  Then
to the barn where Jackson had brought in two smaller horses for them.  They
were fascinated at the size of the land here and how well protected they
were.

   "Now Rhonda go open stall one please." The small girl went slowly and
she seemed concerned.  "It is nothing bad dear it is your present."

   She smiled and opened the door.  A big furry ball of golden hair came
out and started licking her face.

   "Cody sit and shake her hand like a good dog." Pam was now laughing at
Rhonda's pleasure.

   The dog sat, lifted a paw to Rhonda and they shook hands.  "Now
sweetheart if you want him to do that again you need to learn to tell him.
He reacts to many verbal commands.  But he will always protect you from
anyone."

   Pam was looking at Jackson and saw where he was headed.  "Sis now that
were safe you need to think about talking once more.  It may not be easy,
but here you are safe with Jackson."

   The girl heard it all and just held on to Cody and hugged him.



























   Chapter 15

   For Jackson living with anyone was a completely new experience.  He had
moved to the barn when his mom died and had live basically alone since
then. John's offer was a great job for him and he loved the work.

   Jackson's dad had kind of lost it when his wife died.  He wondered the
tree farm and trimmed and shaped trees all day long.  It was like he
expected this Christmas he would hit it big?  When John bought the place
the money had been placed in the bank.  He had said it was for Jackson to
care for his dad.  But everyone knew John did that and did it well.

   Pam came to the barn with Jackson, as did Rhonda.  They were shown how
to water then feed each horse and then allowed to start doing it
themselves. It was a new experience for both girls, as they had no one
standing over them or yelling at them.

   Jackson had fed the horses in corral and made sure the water tank was
clean.  He walked back into the barn and saw the girls had done their jobs.
"You did that fast and really well ladies.  Here we always must feed the
animals first before we eat."

   They followed him and watched him handle a mother and her foal.  The
foal loved to be around Jackson and slowly Rhonda came in.  He let her do
this her way and never seemed to push her or encourage her.  The foal
finally let her rub his head and she laughed for the first time Jackson had
heard it.

   "Little one your pretty good with these animals.  The foal seems to
really like you."

   The smile could have been rated in candlepower.  It lighted the stall
like Jackson had never seen.  He reached over without thinking and hugged
her.  Rhonda grabbed him and hugged him back hard.

   Pam had been watching and liked the way Jackson worked with her little
sister.  The fact that she grabbed him and held him said a lot to her.  Her
sister had never been willing to get close with any man before.  She had
been held down and raped as she had, but never had Rhonda grabbed a man and
held on to him.

   Susan had warned her that because of Rhonda's early sexual activity she
might go after Jackson.  It would mean sharing him with her for both to be
happy.  There was the possibility it would be just a passing thing.  But it
also might not be?

   Slowly the two let go and walked out of the stall.  Rhonda was holding
one of Jackson's hands and Pam took the other.  They walked to the house
and Jackson sat them down in the kitchen.  Cody had followed them and just
watched what happened.  He moved to the mat at the back door and lay there
for now.

   "Here is how this will work for us.  I am a good cook and will work with
both of you to make sure you know what your doing.  But we will share this
work and the cleaning up as well.  There is little you could want we can't
get or don't have.  Now I never waste food here, as there are far to many
today going hungry.  So don't cook more food than what we need for that
day. If you do we will be eating it the next day as well."

   That caused a lot of laughter.  "I like leftovers Jackson, so two days
of the same thing is OK with me." Pam could not resist pushing a little.

   "Hey if you want we can have the same food for everyday during a month.
But when I get tired of it I will have to go back to leading patrols."

   Rhonda jumped up and into his lap.  She was shaking her head no.

   "Little one if I did that you could come with me OK?"

   The smile lighted the room and he loved seeing it.

   "You do know your going to have to think about taking to me don't you? I
really want to hear what I know will be a beautiful voice." She beamed at
him and he saw he was getting to her.

   "Love you." It was so soft he almost missed it.  But she had said it.

   "Little one I love you too." He kissed her head and she hugged him
tight.

   Pam was beaming as well, she had not heard a word from her sister in
many months and now she was willing to talk with Jackson.  She had tried
many times to get her to talk without success.  "She talked to you and I
have not heard it in months now."

   "She is one very smart young lady and will try to talk with us now I am
sure.  It is hard to get answers if you can't ask questions." Jackson had a
big smile on his face now.

   Jackson started warming dinner and the girls set the table and got
drinks for each of them.

   After dinner he sent the girls off to get their baths.  He sat at his
desk and wrote Susan about what had happened today.  It had been agreed he
would keep her updated on events and help her understand the girls.

   He was following Simon and Thomas's current location.  It shocked him
when he got and arm full of naked little girl.  "I think you failed to put
any clothing on."

   "Don't have." Her smile was just beautiful.

   He picked up the naked girl, walked into her room and pulled out panties
and a nightgown for her.  "You have lots of new clothing here and it is all
yours love.  I can't have a beauty like you running naked all over the
house, as it would drive me nuts."

   She laughed and liked how he had said that.  "Mine really?"

   "Yes this is your room and everything in it belongs to you.  See the
stuffed animals and the doll those are yours also."

   She was in heaven and knew life had changed for her.  Cody had come with
them to the bedroom and was laying on a rug beside her bed.  Jackson got
her ready for bed and tucked her in.  He kissed her on her forehead, eyes,
nose and lips.  He rubbed her back until she just dropped off to sleep. 
Then got up and walked out to his office.

   Pam was waiting for him in his office.  "How did you get so smart about
a young child's needs?"

   "My mom was sick from the time I was eight.  She died when I was ten and
my dads mind left then also.  So I really had little of a childhood.  With
Rhonda I just ask what would I have liked?  For me life has been pretty
lonely at least until John got here."

   Pam's heart went out to this man.  "How can you be so loving after all
the hard times you have had?"

   "Mom taught me that love was the only thing any of us had to give
freely. That it was the real money of life and could never be stolen by
anyone.  So we each needed to find people to invest it in.  Until now I
have been hording it and now I have two beautiful ladies here to shower it
on.  So just tell me when I am annoying you and I will stop at once
please?"

   "Samuel Jackson you could never annoy me.  I have loved you from the
moment I saw you.  Don't ask me why as I could never explain it?  Now you
have Rhonda who is also in love with you.  But I do agree with your mother
about the real money in life."

   "I think your getting the worst of the deal Pam.  You need to know I am
not very book smart and there is an awful lot I don't know?  You might say
I am just a plain old country boy.  Now the horses I love raising and
training them.  Teaching the scouts how to ride and shoot is fun for me.  I
do teach them how to stay alive and find what they are going after.  We
don't use the Special Forces people for that job."

   "Who are they?"

   "The ones who picked you up and brought you back in the helicopter. 
That includes the guards at the gate, patrols around our land and the guys
who killed off the ones holding you.  That gun ship is a real killer
machine in the right hands."

   "How did they miss us as Rhonda and I were just a few feet away from the
guy manning the machine gun?"

   "They have infrared abilities to see people by their heat signature. 
You two girls were much smaller than what they were looking for.  It helped
I am sure that you were away from the gun.  Look I want some hot chocolate
how about you?"

   Pam's face lighted up like a light had been turned on.  "God I never
expected to taste that again."

   "As I told you we have almost everything that was available before. 
John bought small food manufacturing plants and cut rooms for the equipment
in the mountains.  He is one smart guy.  We freeze dry a lot and have over
two years supplies of almost everything we need.  When a patrol is out we
eat well and still give a lot away to people who need it."

   "But chocolate requires cocoa beans to make it.  Those are imported and
don't grow here."

   "Would you believe we have a small forest of the trees below ground in
one mountain?  John has built a lot here over time.  We generate enough
power for all our needs and could produce a lot more if required.  You
might not have considered it but we are inside an air-conditioned house. 
Tonight's dinner was cooked by electricity and we have light bulbs burning
for light. ." He lead her into the kitchen and fixed them both a cup.

   Now the fact she was living as she had once lived hit her.  "This had
always been around until the crash.  Then we were out in the countryside
and cooking out over fires.  Dad said the best bet was to head to
Shangri-La and see what help they could provide.  So we were headed here
when we were taken and they were killed."

   "Did you see the ferry out at the river?  I have taken many across the
river and directed them to new settlements being built.  We make sure they
have guns, ammunition, food, live stock and seeds with tools for spring
planting."

   "So this was the right place to head for?"

   "Yes and if your family had come on 311 to 42 I would have known it and
been able to help them.  We have watchers that keep me informed of movement
from that direction.  My troops stopped and gave them all they did not need
and more of the converted cell phones.  Matter of fact they gave them the
horse I was riding and the tack as well."

   "But that was your horse."

   "I never ride my horse out of here.  On patrol I always took a good mare
that was steady and not my stallion.  He was left with the heard to breed
while I was gone."

   Pam looked at him and she wanted to ask him a question.  But did not
know how to do this?  "Jackson can I sleep with you tonight?"

   He considered this and knew he wanted to, but he knew almost nothing
about sex with a young lady.  "Let me tell you something Pam.  I have never
had sex with a girl, so I don't have a clue what to do." His face got very
red from the embarrassment.

   "I can't say that Jackson, as I have been raped many times.  My prayer
right now is that each of them burns in hell.  I have learned to hate sex
and everything to do with it.  But for some reason with you I don't feel
that way." Her head was hanging down and she had tears leaking down her
face.

   Jackson reached deep inside himself and started to talk.  "Our life
started the moment I met you Pam.  What happened in your life before means
nothing to me and should not to you.  Now if you can live with that, then
we can see how life works between us?  But understand the doctor said your
sister was going to want me sexually and not to refuse her if she asked."

   "I know that silly and with what you have done for her so far I am
happy. Before I didn't know if she would ever talk.  She sure would not
talk to me."

   "Look the doctor said for me to let her take any lead.  To make sure she
did nothing that might hurt her more than she has been.  But by being
gentle and loving I might bring her to a different vision of what sex is
about.  Her statement was show her the difference between raw sex and
making love.  Now she did not want to hear I did not know that difference
myself."

   Pam stood and took his hand they walked to his room and both undressed.
God she was even more beautiful than he had ever dreamed of.  He held her
and kissed her and felt all kinds of things he never knew before.

   They got into the bed and he looked deeply into her eyes and saw love
pouring from them.  Just looking at her body made him stiffer than he could
ever remember.  He ran his hand over her breasts and she sighed as he did
that.  Playing with her nipples caused her to start breathing harder.  He
knew what a clit was and started to rub between her legs until he made
contact with it.  Once he started rubbing around her clit she was out of
control.

   Now she was responding to every touch and move he made.  She finally
just exploded and was moving all over the bed.  "Oh God Jackson please put
your cock inside of me.  I have never felt like this before and love how it
feels."

   He got in between her legs and slowly slid his cock into her.  He was
just moving slowly, so he did not hurt her.  She was pushing back at him
and he kept it from running in all the way as best he could.  Finally he
was all the way inside her and could feel her pussy pulsing around his
cock. He kept his movements slow and deliberate and she was enjoying the
feelings this gave her.

   Jackson could stand no more and he came with a violence he never knew
was possible.  His dick hurt on the inside from the amount of cum he shot
all at once.

   He collapsed on bed beside Pam and was totally out of it.  The second
coming could have happened and he would never know it.  Slowly he came back
then looking down he saw Pam kissing his cock and it got hard once more.

   "Girl if I shoot a load like that again my cock will explode.  It was so
much it hurt for it to happen."

   Pam came up beside him and held him tight.  "God I love you and how you
make me feel.  I must have climaxed at least ten times and I have never
done that once before.  Knowing what that is and doing it is very
different."

   He just held her and kissed her.  "Just remember when our life started
and don't go further back.  But know I will be here for you and Rhonda as
long as I live.  You both have a home here for as long as you want it."

   A body came flying out of the dark and landed on his side.  Rhonda held
him in a death grip and tears were running down her face.

   "Hey little one why the tears?"

   "You want me to."

   "Of course I want you, I love you.  I never had brothers or sisters and
have never been married, so no children.  You will find I was a very lonely
person most of my life."

   Rhonda came up and kissed him soundly on the lips.  "I love you." She
held him so tightly he could not believe it was a ten year old.

   "Now as big as this bed is what don't we all go to sleep together?  One
of my girls on each side of me.  Morning will come soon enough and we need
to be rested." They adjusted to each side and both held on to him.

   That nights sleep was good for all of them.  As the sun woke Jackson up
he looked to either side and smiled at the naked girls there.  How could
any man be this lucky?  After around fifteen minutes he had to get up and
go pee.  He turned the shower on and stepped into it.  Right behind him
came Rhonda and Pam.

   "Like some company lover?"

   Now Rhonda got some time to play with his cock.  It was all she seemed
to want to do right now and he never pushed her.  They got out and dressed.


   He had started coffee and was doing bacon in the oven with pancakes on
the griddle.  As soon as the coffee was ready he poured a cup.  This he
really needed today, as he did not sleep as much as normal last night.

   But they all sat down to a good breakfast and cleaned it up fast.  Then
everyone helped with the dishes and cleaning the kitchen.

   "OK Jackson what are we going to do today?" Pam wanted to know.

   "You two are going to take your first riding lesson to start.  I need to
get you where you feel comfortable and in control of your horse."

   Both girls were happy about his statement.  "Are you going to pick the
horses?" Pam wanted to know this.

   "No your going to pick them with my giving you information on each
horse. These horses will be yours to ride any time and also your
responsibility to care for.  After you pick your horse no one else will be
riding it.  That will also be true of your saddle, saddle blanket and other
tack.  So you both have a lot to learn to treat the horse right."

   Both girls had a determined look on their faces.  It was a new area for
both of them and like all kids they really wanted to learn this.

   "Where do we ride at first?" Pam needed lots of knowledge.

   "The corral is where you will start.  Once you can move around it with
control then we will start riding outside that.  But to start with it
allows me to stand inside in the center and watch and make suggestions. 
This should be fun and not work for either of you.  So don't try to make
work out of it."

   He spent a lot of time helping them choose a good starter horse for
each. Then he had two saddles ready that had been built for their sizes and
on Rhonda's he could shorten the stirrups so they fit her right.  They each
got a load of tack and tools to care for their animal and stored it in a
box with their names on them.

   "Now ladies we are going to go have lunch and relax for a little while.
If you have questions I will try to give you answers.  Enjoy this now, as
come school time you will be doing a half day of school in my office five
days a week.  It is taught on computer here and you can go as fast as you
wish.  So you can finish school long before you would have in the past."

   The girls were really feeling overloaded and liked getting a break. 
When they got home John was sitting on the porch rocking and looking out to
the river.  Both girls went into the house to clean up.

   "Boss you're the last person I expected to see here."

   "I brought Kelly, and lunch as I wanted to talk with you and the girls."

   Jackson knew John did nothing by chance.  But what this was about he had
no idea?  They walked into the kitchen and he saw Kelly had lunch fixed and
put on the table waiting for them.

   Everyone sat after Kelly introduced herself to the girls.  The food was
really good and Shelby had done an outstanding job on this.  After they
finished with just general talk it was now time for business.

   "Ladies and Jackson we have a major problem coming at us.  The two
troops out have picked up around ten more young people and kids who had
been made slaves during this problem.  Each has been freed and is being
sent back here.  The area for orphans just is not set up to handle these
types of problems.  So I would like to build a large home for boys and one
for girls down here by the river."

   Pam looked at John like he was nuts.  "Why not just a couple of houses
and let them have a room for them selves.  You can bet each one has been
raped many times, so dividing them into sexes is dumb."

   John smiled at this strong willed girl.  "OK that is why I am here.  I
have no idea how to handle this the right way.  So right now I need advise
Pam."

   This caused some raised eyebrows.  "You want our advice?"

   "Look you and Rhonda know what these kids need and I don't.  So for me
to jump in and start ordering things to happen is dumb.  I need the two of
you to tell me how to help you and them."

   Jackson now could see he was going to get buried in this project.  He
decided he liked it and was not going to fight.  "John I need the space
with large personal rooms for each of them.  The building needs a
schoolroom and a medical room for Sam and Susan.  We need a common dinning
area for all of us.  That will require cooks and servers.  Here Pam, Rhonda
and I will lead this group and help where we can.  But we will live here
and alone.  I love both these females and will do anything needed to
protect them.  My life has been very lonely and now it is full of
happiness. I will not give that up."

   John had a smile that just blew the girls away.  "Jackson I am very
happy for you." He reached into his pocket and withdrew an envelope.  "Here
is the title to this house and the fenced in land around it for you and the
girls.  Your salary for running the youth program will be paid into your
account at the bank.  Both Pam and Rhonda will draw 100 credits a month for
their work.  You guys need to tell me what kinds of work we need to assign
these young people.  They will go to school half days and work half days.
We will pay them for quality work and you will determine if they met that
goal."

   Pam was now smiling, as was Rhonda.  "John thank you." Rhonda got out.

   "Little one your very welcome and I thank you for being willing to help
others."

   Jackson had been thinking for a time now.  "John I need a jail also down
here.  We can put it in the barn as no one could hear yelling from there.
But we are going to get some rough kids and ones with a lot of anger."

   "I don't want you having to handle that.  You call Carlton, let him do
it as he has a jail and ways to handle hard people.  Those kinds of kids I
don't want down here, as it will breed problems he could have stopped. 
Also get Dave putting in a security system around the homes and around
yours for the center to watch.  They will have to learn to live with the
rules you guys decide on and not break them.  But the rules you make must
be posted here, on our intranet and a copy given to me for the court."

   Pam now was confused.  "You don't have laws here?"

   "Sure we do and they are ten pages long.  But each community has added
rules just for it.  Please note they are rules and not laws.  Rules may
change over time and even be canceled where appropriate.  But you and the
children will decide that later."

   "Do you have any idea of the ages we are looking at?"

   "It seems from about eight to fourteen so far."

   "I want teens in one building and preteens in the other.  That way we
don't end up to some teens ruling the younger kids.  If we could get one
single Special Forces member to act as house parent that would be nice."
Jackson had his own ideas here.

   "I have a girl called Dink I think would be a good one for that job. 
God help any guy who tried to hurt one of hers.  I am sure she has a friend
who she would recommend as well.  She was doing work for Carlton and
training when some guy decided to rape her.  She sent him to the hospital
and he was Special Forces trained."

   The girls and Jackson liked her background.  Pam was the one to lead
here.  "Can she come and stay until we get the new buildings done?  I think
she needs to help us make some decisions for the entire group.  We have one
extra room as I am sleeping with Jackson.  I will move my clothing into our
room."

   "That does not shock me Pam.  I am more than forty years older than my
wife and I love this adopted urchin sitting next to me.  She does her
homework in my office and hears everything said there.  You will find she
may be young but she is very smart."

   Kelly was beaming now.  "Daddy is the smart one here.  He is holding the
adults in line and letting us make a lot of decisions.  They have to be
good decisions, but they are ours.  Because of him I will finish high
school by the time I'm twelve and start college."

   Now Jackson saw some of what she was saying.  "Will you come and attend
meetings and work with us?  We need you to bring the knowledge of where we
can and can't go with our rules."

   Kelly looked at John.  "Sure dear get Carlton to drive you in bad
weather and ride if you want in nice.  I think they will help you see more
of life and you will help them stay on track."

   Pam did not understand this comment?  "What do you mean stay on track?"

   "Pam it is simple as all humans lose their direction from time to time.
If the goal is to climb a mountain that seems simple.  But if you break a
leg on the way up do you get medical help or finish the climb?" Kelly
enjoyed this kind of discussion.

   "You get medical help so you don't do more damage." Pam knew this was
right.

   "But that break might mean you will never be able to climb that mountain
again."

   "You still get the medical help Kelly."

   "So goals do change and we must learn to expect that to happen.  Each
child you take here must have its own set of goals.  One set does not fit
everyone.  Trying to fit everyone into a mold that someone likes, just does
not work.  It destroyed our government and caused this problem.  We each
are different and that must be celebrated and allowed." Kelly had her
million watt smile now.

   That lighted them all up and now they could see just how difficult this
could be if not done right.  "God this is more complex than I ever
thought." Jackson now was concerned about leading this.

   "Your just building us a picture of what a new country needs to look
like.  I assure you the United States is dead and buried.  We are going to
have many young people that need help and direction, as a new country is
pulled together.  That means we need new laws, a better understanding of
how people should be governed and a very good money system.  But we need to
teach the youth what is truly important for life to be good.  Like close
families, helping neighbors and treating everyone fairly.  Once most of
that existed in the USA and over time politicians changed that."

   Each could see John's burning fire of change.  "How are you going to
make that work John?" Jackson was hooked with this.

   "People will vote to enter a new union.  That will require them to
accept the new laws, a new type of government and in return they get a
solid money system.  We will operate a small military and no new laws will
ever be enacted without the people's agreement.  Government will not make
laws.  There will be no lawyers in the new social structure.  If a law
can't be understood by any ten year old then it is a bad law." John handed
each of them a small booklet very few pages thick.

   They all looked and read most of the book.  "Why no lawyers?" Jackson
really wanted an answer to that.

   "Most politicians were lawyers, second the law was open to
interpretations because they wrote it and the better your lawyer the less
chance of conviction.  Laws need to be black and white and easy to
understand.  You either broke the law or you did not."

   Pam smiled and liked what she heard.  "I hope we can do as good a job as
you have so far.  This book is simple to read and understand.  It has no
big words in it and I could understand everything.  For Rhonda I only had
to answer two questions and she understood it." The little one was smiling
and nodding her head.

   "These are the main laws and everyone will need to live by them.  Now
government will make its money by supplying electricity, water, sewage,
communications, garbage pick up and a tax on imports or exports.  Normal
taxes will not be as before for anyone.  A city or county can charge a
sales tax as long as it is at or below 2% and is limited to certain items.
There will be no states any more.  That just added taxes on top of taxes.
People need to earn their own money and support their families.  They damn
well don't need to work for the government a good part of the year."

   Here John had believers and they liked his strong feelings.  "Will you
come sit in and listen to us sometimes?  Just having an adult here will
cause some to think it through better."

   "As long as you don't expect me to say a word during any meeting.  Don't
allow any attempt to drag me into discussions.  I am coming to learn and
not control or direct the meeting.  But when I come as judge that will be
completely different.  There will be a court monthly for rule or
lawbreakers.  The laws you have in the book and the rules you will make for
all here to live by.  But those rules may not conflict with any law."

   This caused some questions.  "How could they conflict?"

   "I have set the age for voting at 15, the age of consent at 12 and the
age for military service at 18.  So if you had a rule saying someone 12
could not marry or have sex it would conflict with the laws in the book. 
We are going to have a much younger country to start with and that makes
opening up the age different.  School will be year around and your expected
to finish high school at 15.  College will be year around and three years
is what that should take.  Education is important, but going out and doing
something constructive is as well."

   This little meeting broke up with that.  Kids were going to have to
learn to mature more quickly in this new structure.  So teaching
responsibility was going to be important.

























   Chapter 16

   The entire town was out in the park tonight.  The band had set up and
the park had been lighted.  There were grills going and lots of food for
people to load up on.  This was somewhat like a forth of July celebration
for most people.  But John had set this up and wanted everyone to have a
copy of the law book.  The company rules for this area were also given to
all people.

   Many stopped John and had their say about the laws and rules.  Almost
all were positive and the few that weren't were more over the ages than the
law.

   John walked up to the microphone and stood at the lectern.  Things
became quiet and people moved closer.  "I hope your enjoying the small
party tonight." The applause was loud and people were enjoying this.

   "This is July fifteenth and the first day our laws are in complete
control here.  So in a way it is the start date of this new country
whatever it becomes." Now yelling and applause was over powering.

   "Each of you voted for or against these laws.  Every law was open to
your vote and the majority voted to accept them as written.  Matter of fact
the vote was eighty five percent for and fifteen percent against the most
questioned law.  That was the 12 year old age of consent.  Let me explain
something to you.  Many older people have died during this period.  Your
going to find most of those left are younger and more females were killed
than males.  We need to start rebuilding our population and that takes
marriages to happen.  According to our doctors a girl 12 can easily have a
child and yes there is a little more risk.  But with good medical care she
should have no problems.  So we acted to meet the conditions we know are
out there." People were now more understanding of the reasons for this
change.

   "Now this new government is a corporation in most ways.  It will sell
power, communications, water, sewage and handle trash in each area.  No
government will make any law for its people and can only make rules for the
community if its people agree to them.  People will control government from
now on." The crowd went nuts now.

   "The country government will own and run all banks.  Printed money will
be backed by gold, silver, gemstones and food stored by the government. 
But a person can walk into a bank and get gold or silver if they can prove
a need for it.  I have here well over two hundred billion in just gold
bars. Before I am done we will have well over one trillion in gold.  Now
that is power to deal with the world, as they are in trouble as well." The
people were talking now.

   "So the main government will run banks, electric companies and
telecommunications companies.  That is where our income will come from to
do what we must in the world.  If you work for the government and cheat,
steal or misuse public money you will be shot.  No questions about that.  I
will own the gold that this government runs on and that puts me at the head
of the board of the corporation.  Your standing at the seat of this
government now and for good." People were completely silent, as this had
not been expected.

   "That does not mean banking will not one day be run out of Richmond.  It
is possible that agriculture could be run from Tech at Blacksburg.  But
those areas will not be making laws they are to support the people and make
the entire country productive for us all.  There is no law that will solve
your problem.  Get your butts in gear, solve the problem and you don't need
a law." Now people were really yelling.  John walked away and he was patted
on the back and his hand was shaken over and over.

   He got to Kelly and Dana and they were enjoying the way people were so
pleased with John.  "Well daddy I think they understood what your looking
for now.  It will be very different from the past."

   "Yes it will and one day you may be running this.  So listen well and
understand power will always be with the family, as we are the money that
started this.  It will be our gold backing the banks and money.  The trick
is not to get so large that we lose control of our own money.  The old USA
was far to large and you had many different groups that did not see things
the same way."

   She knew he had plans for her and she would do as he asked her.  "We
need to talk about this too big idea as that is new to me."

   "We will be appointing judges, bank managers, telecommunications
managers and people running electrical production and distribution.  They
are going to have to be audited each year and books checked during
different periods of time.  There will always be that person who feels they
can screw us and get by with it.  They must be found and made examples of
very quickly.  They will also have hurt the public, as it will reduce money
to loan or build new power and communications facilities.  It might hurt
the military that is paid for by the government."

   "How large a military will we have?" This was one Kelly had no idea
about.

   "I have interest from admirals in Norfolk and Jacksonville Florida. 
There are commanders at seven other bases ready to join us.  So we would
have a Navy, Army, Marine Corps and Air Force.  Some place just over a
million people right now.  That would have to be cut down to something more
reasonable.  We are not going to fight a war and we only need to protect
our territory.  But I will need to work with the generals and admirals to
handle that."

   She was just amazed at this admission.  "How did they come to you?"

   "We have been the thorn in the side of many gangs they chased out.  It
seems Jackson has some admirers out here also.  One just happened to be the
admiral's bother, which still had communications with him.  So he knew of
us and was given the cell number to call.  My having a lot of seals also
helped him like us.  But Kelly I don't trust him and we need to move very
slowly here.  I smell someone who wants the economic power we have and not
our involvement in his area."

   "I get the feeling daddy you really don't like this guy at all."

   "Well I talked to David about him and he has kissed every politicians
ass he could to get money.  So he is part of the problem and not part of
the solution I think."

   "Those are the people we need to take power away from now."

   "That my dear daughter is very true.  But it has to be done without his
seeing it coming.  That will not be easy and they have weapons that could
hurt many people.  I think some would use them to get their way."

   That was frightening and she knew John was right here.  All you had to
do was look back on the governments taken over by military leaders.  Most
had a streak of power hunger and America was no different.  In its
condition she knew that many would try to take advantage of it.

   John met with David and Carlton tonight and they would meet tomorrow
again to come to some decisions.  This was when all hell broke loose and
John headed with Kelly to the control center.  Dana went to the hospital to
help if needed.

   Bombs were going off and you could see planes exploding in the air. 
Kelly had never seen anything like this before.  Everyone had headed to the
underground bunkers for protection and the lights had gone out at once.

   This had never been expected and yet Kelly could see where it came from.
Two pilots now had been captured and were brought to the command center. 
Once in the interrogation room John was ready for answers.

   "Where did you come from?"

   Neither man said one word.

   John reached into a bag and brought out a rattlesnake and handed it to
one of the guards.  "Let him bite each of them and lets see how bad they
wish to live?  Then we will take a second one and go the other way.  One
and a half doses should kill any man their size."

   When the snakes fangs slid into the second man they were both shaking.

   "Look boys you just pissed off a lot of ex Navy seals.  We have well
over one hundred Special Forces personnel here and they don't like you at
all.  Now we got two more aircraft and the pilots from them.  The eight
others crashed or blew up before the pilots could get out.  So we did get
twelve planes and are going to go to Norfolk and kill a couple admirals. 
That includes the ass hole that I have been talking with."

   The men's eyes were now wide.  "Seals here?"

   Carlton walked in and looked at the man.  "Well Jimmy Davis I always
knew you were a cocksucker.  How long have you been sucking the admirals
cock?"

   "God Carlton he told us you were a group of gangs hiding here."

   "Well we are a military gang and we are going to kill that cock sucker.
John here bought this land and he owns it free and clear.  The reason the
admiral wants this is we have millions in gold and sliver he would love to
have.  That is John's personal wealth he wishes to steal."

   "Your bullshitting me right?"

   "Nope we have been helping thousands of people find safe places to
shelter safely from this disaster.  We have killed may be a couple thousand
gang members.  There are over three hundred orphan children here being
clothed, fed and educated now.  Our wives and children were in that small
park you were attempting to bomb.  So there is no one here who cares about
you at all.  Your trash and we will be happy to bury your ass.  That goes
for all your men trying to kill women and children here."

   "Look Carlton I told you the admiral said you were gangs and to wipe you
out completely.  We came with twelve aircraft and you got everyone of them.
That is going to bring more you know."

   A face came on the screen mounted on the wall.  "Son who is your
admiral?"

   He was looking at the man who had been the head of the JCS before the
collapse.  "Admiral Brenner sir."

   "John there will be aircraft covering your town tonight and tomorrow.  I
will send troops to get the admiral.  He now has a death sentence on his
head.  Please keep those four pilots alive you have.  We will ask to pick
them up later tomorrow.  This is the wrong way to try to rebuild any type
nation." The screen went blank.

   "Why does the general want us?"

   "I would think it might be possible for a court marshal.  The statement
I was just following orders got people hung at the war trials after world
war 2."

   Both men were really shaking now.  A medic came in, gave both a shot and
they were led off to the hospital.

   "I think we were very luck John as the men had not had any practice and
were way off on their bomb runs.  Trying to line up we had eight planes
crash or hit another plane.  We dropped the four with the shoulder fired
missiles we have.  So we hurt them in aircraft and personnel."

   "That is not nearly enough Carlton.  I want that assholes balls.  There
is no top military man left I trust who is wearing a uniform today.  They
are all power hungry and will lie, cheat and steal."

   David and Carlton saw just how angry John was and knew there would be no
room to talk for now.

   As John left the center Kelly walked beside him.  She had never seen
John this angry before.  He was so mad he was shaking and it scared her. 
"Daddy lets sit down for a minute?"

   He sat on a bench and she was close beside him.  "What is wrong sugar?"

   "Your scaring me daddy and I don't like that.  I have seen you mad
before, but never shaking like you are now."

   He looked at his hand and she was right.  "I think the fact I could have
lost you and mom just hit me so hard it caused this.  Without the two of
you I have no reason to live now.  What I have built I did for the two of
you.  Now I don't know where your mom is and that worries me."

   "David said no one got hurt, so I did not worry about mommy.  But she
could have had some reaction to that I guess and started labor?  I think
David would have told one of us?"

   "Your right sugar and we do need to get home and let her know we are OK
for tonight."

   Dana grabbed them both and held on tight.  "God you two scared me to
death.  I had no idea where you were until David called me."

   "We captured four pilots and I was interrogating them.  It seems that
admiral in Norfolk decided to take us out.  He must have wanted the wealth
we have."

   "Then he will be back and soon."

   "Nope the head of the old JCS said he was going after him and would
protect us tonight and tomorrow.  Now I am not sure I trust him either? 
But we do have missiles on the mountains and are on high alert.  They will
know they are being tracked."

   The three of them headed to their bedrooms and some sleep hopefully.

   That next morning Shelby had a nice breakfast ready.  As John walked in
she handed him a cup and smiled at him.  "Thank you boss for protecting
us."

   "Like hell I did they got bombs off."

   "That they did and a good mile before the town.  They had already lost
their planes before dropping the bombs."

   Now John was curious.  "How do you know this?"

   "One of the girls I was captured with is serving on a missile team on
the mountain side.  I could not sleep last night and was walking the town
when she came down off shift.  We sat in the café and she told me about the
whole battle.  They had one NCO and the rest were just kids like me. 
Machine gun fire caused a lot of planes to turn into each other and the
heat seeker heads got the rest.  A bunch of 13 to 17 year old kids did that
to them boss.  That professional military did not have a chance."

   John got David and Carlton to the house quickly and had Shelby repeat
her story for them.  "I want to know every one up there last night and what
part they played."

   Both men were shocked at what had happened and this just iced the cake.
It made John's demand for good training for these kids very critical.  "You
know David we never expected these kids to ever come under attack.  But
damn did they perform well.  If John had not hit us up side the head about
training, we could have been hurt badly."

   "It sure as hell was not a military victory on our side.  The 2 NCOs
were the only military people of yours up there.  All the rest were kids we
have been training for defense of the air lanes leading into the valley."

   "Look Jackson and his kids have done well.  Our kids did well and we had
better start to use them the right way.  If you underestimate them they
will kill you.  That damn admiral would shit if he knew who wiped out his
squadron." Carlton was now proud off his young people.

   Once all were assembled that afternoon they were all taken o John's
office.  The group marched in stood at attention and saluted.  That John
returned with crispness.

   He looked over this group of young people and liked what he saw. 
"Ladies and gentlemen I appreciate your coming to see me so quickly.  I
want each of you to know how proud of you I am.  Your group stopped twelve
fighters, those were the best the old country could build before it fell.
They came in under our large protecting radar and walked into your area of
responsibility.  Not one person here failed to act on time and properly. 
So I have a small gift for you each.  I had bracelets made up of gold with
the follow inscription.  "To the brave goes victory.  Your one of the brave
now."

   Smiles were all over the room as Kelly handed out each with a name
inscribed on it as well.  She was ready for her part.  "I have a wall being
built called the wall of honor.  Each of your names will be inscribed on
that wall.  It will be in the park and you can be proud of being on that
monument of our history."

   The screen on the wall came to life.  "John that was well done and said.
I have a small twin engine coming your way now to pick up the four pilots
you have.  The admiral who ordered this is also on that craft and will be
deposited with you.  I would like for him to see the troops who defeated
his people.  So my officer on that craft has silver stars for each of these
brave young people.  Each of you did very well and far better than I would
have ever expected.  You have changed my view on the young people of today,
thank you all."

   Now you had some young people with ear to ear grins.  "David please get
Carlton and take these young people to the airport.  I wish a well armed
group of seals to handle the admiral.  He is to go to the cells below
ground for life."

   "Same rules feed himself or die?"

   "Same rules and God help anyone who helps him in any way.  Hopefully he
will go completely nuts being alone.  Keep a camera following him in the
center.  But I don't want him to know it is there."

   He left knowing John would follow this man and make him as miserable as
he could if that was possible.  His 2 NCOs and the kids went to the airport
and net the plane.  Carlton was there with seals and his green beanies
waiting for this man.  People here were not happy with the incoming
admiral.

   The plane circled and came in to the field.  This was no easy place to
land and it took just one error to be dead fast.  Once on the ground it
came to the group standing waiting for it.  A general got off and two armed
men escorted the admiral off.  They had a ball gag in his mouth right now
and his arms cuffed behind his back.  The general saluted the officers and
then the men.

   This was returned in proper fashion.  "Thank you for delivering this
piece of crap to us.  We have a very nice underground place for him and he
will either grow his own food or starve.  That is his choice and not ours.
But you will be able to check on him and see if he is working or killing
himself.  There is no one here willing to do his work."

   The general was now smiling.  "How does this work?"

   "He has soil and grow lights below ground.  We supply seed, instructions
and provide food for them to cook until the first crop should come in.  At
that point we supply nothing but meat once a week.  Life is always working
and feeding themselves or not.  It is their choice and we really don't
care."

   "It sounds like he will be alone?"

   "Yes, why should we put him where he might talk others into doing his
work?  He will never see another human for the rest of his life.  If he
needs a doctor he will be out like a light when he is seen.  I assure you
it is not a nice life, but one that can be survived if you work."

   "I have a small gift here for the fighters who defeated his squadron. 
Please ask them to come forward."

   Carlton had them in line very quickly and they looked sharp.  The NCOs
looked really sharp in camouflage uniform and the troops were all in it as
well.  It was well pressed and crisp looking.  Each was wearing their gold
bracelets and smiling now.

   "Damn how old are these troops?" The general was now confused.

   "Sir they range from 13 to 17 and the NCOs are around 30.  We have over
300 orphans here we have taken to educate and care for.  John decided in
this new world they needed to be trained to serve the community.  So all of
our students over 12 serve time in military units and get training.  Now 8
of the aircraft coming in were taken out by machine gun fire from eight 13
to 15 year olds.  The 16 and 17 year olds using stinger FIM 92's shot down
the last four.  The NCOs were just there to cheerlead these troops."

   The general was shock as was the admiral.  "How in the hell do kids win
against those odds?"

   "You seem to be forgetting Nam sir.  We lost a lot of troops to teenaged
children and officers just could never believe it?  These kids are brave
and intelligent.  They have little fear and know exactly what they are
fighting for.  I would put one of my 16 or 17 year olds against the best
hand to hand fighter you have.  I assure you they would get hurt and never
touch my trooper."

   This the general had to call.  "Once I pass these out I accept that
challenge.  My body guard was trained at Bragg and is very good."

   John and Kelly had come out to watch this.  He knew what was coming as
Dana had been training these kids.  He tapped Carlton on the shoulder. 
"Give him a girl and watch the fun."

   Once the awards were passed out Carlton looked at Debbie.  "Sugar would
you like to show this general how poorly his troops are trained?  Don't
hold back at all and if you break something we will fix it."

   The girl was smiling now and took all jewelry off including the medal.
She took off her boon dockers and tightened her belt.  Once in position she
bowed to the man she was facing and he knew this was not going to be easy.

   She played with him for the first few minutes and he was sweating now.
She had placed blows all over him and he had yet to touch her.  She had
made muscles sore and he was really hurting now.  But he knew he could not
just stop.  Debbie calmly came in low and took his knee out fast and was
back a good ten feet before he could move.

   The man screamed and fell to the ground now.  You could see the general
completely baffled at this display.  "How in the hell did that happen?"

   "General see that little 13 year old girl there?  She could break every
bone in your body in about ten minutes time.  You would never land a single
blow on her.  My troops when we came here had to learn to fight all over
again.  A young woman married to John is just that good.  You could tie her
up and she would kill you."

   The medics put the man on a stretcher and he was taken to the hospital.
The troops were dismissed and John took the general to the hospital to
follow up on his man.

   Kelly had been following this and had questions.  "General why did you
get one of your people hurt?"

   "I did not get him hurt he failed to fight as he should." You could see
the man was pissed.

   "That sir is not true, you wanted to embarrass those young people.  It
got under your skin that they did the damage they did to the attackers. 
Your every bit as bad as the admiral you brought here."

   Now he was stung and would fight back.  "Just who the hell are you to
make those kinds of statements?"

   John looked at the man.  "She is my daughter and smarter than you or me.
Her IQ can't be measured today.  You're a very shallow person general. 
What you see is just what you have trained your mind to accept.  If it is
not in that picture it is not real to you.  That is how the admiral looked
at things and you see where he is going now."

   Once the man was out of surgery and able to talk they went into his
room. "I hope your not in too much pain my friend?" John was smiling at
this man.

   "Right now I am pretty well drugged and feeling little.  But I have to
know if Dana trained that girl?"

   "Dana is my wife and has trained them all son.  She has classes for all
our citizens here twice a week."

   The man was smiling now.  She helped me at the Olympic training camp a
few years ago.  They chased her out because she did not fit their way.  I
knew when the girl set up I was in trouble.  It was Dana's system and it is
a real killer.  The general here refused to make the changes I suggested
that came from her system.  He said no woman knew how to fight."

   Carlton knew where this was going and was ready with troops.  They
walked up and took the general by his arms and started to lead him away. 
"What in the hell are you doing?"

   Carlton looked him in the eyes and he could see hate.  "I am removing
one more ass from the military.  Your going to the room next to the
admiral. So far we have not found any who wanted to work to eat.  Lets see
if you change that?"

   That man in the bed looked at John.  "Can I stay here with your people?
I have no wife or any children thanks to the general.  He locked Bragg down
during a riot and they were killed.  We all begged him to bring our
families in and he refused to risk troops to do that.  But who was that guy
that took him?  I have seen him before."

   "Colonel Carlton Rider was head of Delta Force son.  The general before
yours fired him and a bunch of his people.  I hired them and they are good,
but Dana made them better."

   The man smiled at John now.  "Then this is Shangri-La?"

   "A lot of people know it as that son.  The doc who will be doing your
care now is an ex green beanie and he can fill you in.  To answer your
question yes you can stay and will go to work after that broken leg heals.
But Debbie was nice and did not take your knee out."

   "How old is she John?"

   "She is 16 and as good as we have here."

   "Damn a couple more years before I can chase her."

   "Nope that is not our laws.  She has finished high school, is starting
college now and that is different as well.  The age of consent here is 12,
so chase all you want son.  But understand no means no here."

   After John's leaving he slept and that felt good.  On waking up he saw a
smiling Debbie looking at him.  It brought a big grin to his face.  "What a
nice way to wake up.  Looking at a very beautiful lady."

   Debbie stood and walked over bend down and kissed his forehead.  "I
would do better, but I don't even know your name."

   "Sgt.  William Grinder my lady.  I will say you did a beautiful job of
kicking my butt.  Also thank you for not taking out my knee."

   "John told me any thing I broke would be fixed.  I wanted you able to
fight again, so I did not go for a knee.  But you don't protect them very
well and it would have been easy."

   "It is part of the error of the military way.  Dana taught me better a
long ago and over time I got lazy.  She was the most impressive fighter I
have ever seen."

   "She still is but now a few of us can make her really work to win.  For
her system she is starting to get old and it shows up from time to time. 
If you're the second or third one fighting her that day you have a chance."

   He smiled at this and knew why that happened.  "I assure you she is not
getting tired, she is just getting bored.  Never have I ever seen her tired
after any fight or group of them.  She is just so fast and smooth she flows
and others cannot do that."

   Dana had heard it and was smiling at him when she walked in.  "Don't let
her pass that around William, as others may not feel they have any chance
at all."

   "God girl your big as a blimp."

   "John planted two inside me so that happens.  But I did beg to have his
babies so now I pay for it."

   He hugged her and liked seeing her.  "Lady I was worried about how many
men you had killed.  The concern was you were having to live off your
wits."

   "Did you see the girl with John?  She is my daughter by birth and John's
by adoption.  But you would think she is just his."

   Debbie laughed at this and knew Dana was right.  "I watched that little
one shoot on the range and she is good.  There is not one Special Forces
trooper she has not beaten.  I watched her take over three hundred from a
group of five one day."

   "What in the heck did she do with the money?"

   "She took it down and gave it to the girls who over see the orphans, so
they could use it.  She does not need it and did not want it."

   "Could she have paid off if she had to?"

   Dana took this one.  "William she has over one million in gold in her
account.  I think she not only could have paid off, but also would have
done so.  John has taught her how important your word is." She handed him a
copy of the law book now being used here.

   "What is this?"

   "It is our complete law book.  John has said if a ten year old can't
read it and understand it then it is a bad law.  The old USA had laws for
everything and nothing.  In our new country there will be no lawyers and if
a suite is required you will file it.  Anyone telling a lie in court is
dead and that is just what we are teaching in schools now."

   He liked this idea and how John was setting this up.  "Well I am one of
your new citizens now.  John agreed to let me stay here."

   "Count yourself lucky William.  He has never allowed an adult to stay
here.  We have taken in hundreds of children, but always under 11.  So at
10 they stayed and if 11 they were sent on with help to a camp being built.
He knew at 10 they could be changed to fit the new mold and at 11 it was
iffy?"

   "I don't think I could do that Dana.  After my wife and daughter were
killed at Fayetteville I just kind of shutdown."

   This hit Debbie hard.  "How did they die?"

   "That fine general I was with refused to pick our families up and bring
them to Bragg.  So they were killed in a riot and I was not there to
protect them." The tears were rolling down his face.

   Debbie got over and held him as he cried for the first time in his life.
It was like a damn bursting and it shook him to his core.  The pain, anger
and hurt had been bottled up for a long time now.  He had been punished as
a child for showing any pain or if he cried.  So that side of him had never
been allowed to show itself.  Now he just did not care at all.

   "I am sorry Debbie as I just could not hold it back any more."

   "William let me tell you if you had not of cried for them, I would have
walked out of here.  Feelings need to be shown and released before we can
heal.  The crap of strong men don't cry is pure bullshit, from those who
don't care enough to cry.  They have to have an excuse for everything."

   That hit him as so true it became a belief.  "Thank you for holding me
Debbie.  I owe you a lot and to have you do that for someone you don't know
was nice."

   "I am the one that hurt you William and I do feel responsible for that.
Doc said your free to leave tomorrow so you will come live with me and my
adopted mother.  She runs a business in the town here and I rent a room
from her.  So she said she would take my injured man in as well."

   "Her house is a ranch style and no steps to worry about.  Your going to
be in a wheel chair for three weeks and then crutches with a cast for four
more.  So if you don't want some medic washing you, we are the other option
you have.  At least there is a patio outside for you to enjoy the weather
right now."

   "But you have your military job and she has a business to run."

   "I go to school five days a week and do that from home on computer.  The
military is just two nights a week, some times on site and others training.
So we are not always doing the same things.  The Stinger missiles I was
firing were all new to me as far as for doing it for real.  But I knew the
drill so well it was just automatic.  Now I have to go home and get the
room ready for you." She bent down and kissed him and he went in orbit.