Checking in with the Blaines (Part 1)

Posted on Sat Oct 26th, 2024 @ 2:49pm by Hale Stratton & Timothy Reynolds

2,108 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: The Road Ahead
Location: Blaine Homestead
Timeline: September 16, 2010 - 08:00 a.m.

After breakfast was finished and before everyone started their day of errands, Timothy and Hale started over to his neighbor's property. "So," Timothy asked. "How long have you known the Blaines?"

"About six years, I think. Met them the first year when I was building the cabin," Hale said. The two friends were walking on the path between the properties; it was one that he and Noah had worked on together, cutting back the trees and clearing the undergrowth, shortly after he'd bought the place. Originally, it was meant only for ease of access but in later years, they had worked on leveling it well enough for an ATV to navigate.

"They invited me to dinner and we talked." Hale bent down to grab a large branch that had fallen on the path and toss it over to one side. "I grew up off-grid and Noah needed a bit of help with a project so ... I helped in return for one of Molly's pies." His eyes lit with the memory. "They're a wondrous thing, her pies. Anyway, it went from there. Noah would watch the place when I was away and when I was here, I'd help him out. Mend fences. Repairs on the roof. That sort of thing. One year, we dug a root cellar and lined it with stone."

Timothy nodded as he listened to his friend and superior officer speak. "I hope they got through this shit unscathed. They could certainly help us start our little community out here."

Hale shot a glance at Tim, measuring the response, before answering. "I get the mindset but I'd rather we not become a community of takers. My interactions in this area so far have been on a 'quid pro quo' basis," Hale said. "Like to keep it that way."

Timothy stopped walking and gave his long-time friend a hard look. "I never implied we would be a group of takers. I figured you knew that about me, Hale. I only meant that, as they have been living out here longer than us, they might be able to teach us something. Obviously, we would help them when they need it as well. We're not savages."

"We're not," Hale said, nodding his agreement, "but we have a lot of new people now. Lot of unknowns in the mix. I don't have a sense yet of how they'll all fit together, if they even can. I'm hopeful but that isn't the same thing." He ran a hand through the tangle of his shoulder-length hair as he marshaled his thoughts. "Seems like every time we stop the vehicles, someone or other is marching up to me with questions about what's happening next month, long-term plans they want answers for right now, while I'm still working on getting everyone a bed for the night. Maybe a bit of privacy. Probably where that came from. I'm ... uh ... working out my concerns. Yeah, Noah and Molly know a lot. I grew up in that life so I know a few things as well. Skills that being on the teams don't teach."

Timothy was silent for a beat, then sighed. "I'm sorry too. It's one thing to live through life and death stress, when it's just us, out in the weeds. It's something much more when your family, your child is living it with you." He offered his hand to his closest male friend. "We good?"

Hale accept the handshake, drew close enough for a pat on the back, and then stepped back. "We're good. Charting new territory here," he said. "

Timothy grinned slightly and nodded. "Agreed. We need to be a cohesive unit, now more than ever, to survive."

As they resumed walking, Hale said, "You know, Noah's a pilot." Before them, the path turned, started sloping downward on a gentle grade. "Fighters once upon a time and then got certified on helicopters. Volunteers with the local search and rescue when some tourist gets lost."

Timothy nodded as he listened. "What branch was he?" He asked, knowing that it must have been either the Navy, Marines or Air Force, as the Army didn't have any jet aircraft.

"Navy," Hale said. "Had no plans to return to civilian life until he met Molly. He said that on their dates, they would dream together about what life could be. The homestead came out of that."

"I guess I won't hold it against him," Timothy said with a grin. "Ya know...being a squid." He chuckled softly as they continued walking. "If he still can gain access to the helicopter, and we are able to fortify it, it could be an excellent asset going forward. Could use it to move heavy objects, if need be."

"Was thinking about asking him to teach me," Hale said as they walked. "The helicopter, which is out at the airport, would be a valuable resource providing there's enough fuel to keep it in the air. Course, that also makes it a target. We might draw unwanted attention so there's that to consider as well."

"But that's how it's going to be going forward," Hale continued. "Limited by how much fuel we can scrounge up and how well it can be protected ... if it hasn't already been 'appropriated'. Won't be a long-term asset but still, in the short term, it could be helpful. And knowing how, which I mean to learn, adds to the group's skill set. And that's never bad."

Timothy nodded as they continued to walk. After a few quiet beats, he asked, "Hale, Honestly...how secluded are we here? I know there's that main highway, less than a mile away. How well can we hide here, both short term and long?"

"Closer to a mile and half," Hale said, "but I get your point. Honestly, I don't know. The town isn't far away and the locals are organizing. They've established a militia and intend to defend the town. The question remains as to how much of the area they consider theirs. As to our little mountain, Noah and Molly got the occasional lost hiker but nothing more than that. We're well off the beaten track. I'd say that we're good through the winter for sure. And if we fortify well enough, maybe for longer than that."

Timothy nodded again. He trusted Hale with his life. If he felt that they would be safe, then Timothy would trust it. "If we are going to stay here, we will need to build up defenses. Especially around our water source."

"Good thing I spent the cash on that well then," Hale said. "It's near enough to the cabin to fall within our perimeter. I had in mind, if we're going to be long-term, doing two board fences and then fill the gap with rocks and concrete. Hard to build but if its tall enough, it'll stand a whole lot of abuse. Borrowed the idea from the Old City in Jerusalem. Course theirs was stone rather than wood with junk stone as the filler but I think it would work."

Timothy nodded. "We could always use it as the starting point. As our community grows, we can always build upon the defenses we build now."

"Like adding watchtowers on the inside of the wall," Hale said. "I think that everything we set up has to withstand raiders and large numbers of the not-dead-enough. I don't expect all of that to show up but with civilians and children in the mix, I'd rather be over-prepared."

Timothy nodded again. "Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. We should also set up traps along the outskirts."

"I like that Idea," Hale said. "Maybe pits with branches and leaves over top for cover. Course someone would have to go out and check them on the regular but it could serve as an early warning system that something's in the area."

Timothy nodded as he replied. "As it was my idea, I'll take first rotation, once they're built. Also," he added, "We need to make it the rule that no one leave the compound alone, even to check traps. I don't want one of us getting caught short by anything out here. If one person is doing a job, the other person is providing overwatch."

"Agreed," Hale said. "We should make that SOP. Get T.J. involved since he's handling security. As for checking traps, I can do it on my morning runs too. Probably will no matter who's on the schedule."

"Just so long as you don't leave the compound alone. Even the two of us, with all our training and experience, can have a bad day and get ambushed." He reached out and put his right hand on Hale's left shoulder. "I'm serious, Hale. We are now in a far more dangerous world, weather that danger is at our gates or not."

Hale turned toward his friend, laughing. "Five miles minimum and I never use the path. Know anyone who can keep up?"

Timothy was serious. "You can't outrun a bullet, Hale. Besides," now he smirked. "You know I always beat your ass in cross country." As he chuckled, they came upon a fence line, with a closed gate. "This them?"

"Selective memory in one so young. Shame. Been leaving you in the dust the last couple of years," Hale retorted. "Thanks to the extreme running events I've been competing in. And, since you're having trouble tracking the conversation," he leaned in conspiratorially, "another sign of advancing age by the way, I meant that whomever you want to come with me better be able to run five miles up hill with me."

Timothy gave Hale an odd look and smirk. "...One so young...? Hale, you know we're the same age. As far as leaving me in the dust, you should really get your memory checked. The last three runs we did, I finished before you, remember?" He shook his head and chuckled as they remained standing by the closed gate. "And I ask again, is this their property?" As he asked the question, the sound of a couple dogs barking could be heard in the distance.

"Maybe it's just that I feel older then," Hale said. "And I did too finish first. Every ... single ... time. And yes, this is their property. Just like the sign says." He smiled as two dogs came around the corner and knelt down to reach his hand through. "Hey guys." He petted them both, scratching behind the ears, as he introduced them. "This is Chewie and this is Hooch. They help guard the place. Noah shouldn't be far behind them."

Timothy let the discussion go, realizing it wasn't worth an argument. He instead turned his attention to the dogs, offering his hand in gentle greeting, as he waited for them to sniff him.

Hale was climbing the fence as Noah came around the corner and the two greeted each other; part welcome and part relief that the other had made it through their life relatively unscathed. "Would have opened the gate for you," Noah said as the two shook hands. He turned meaningfully toward Tim.

"This is Tim," Hale said at once. "One of my teammates. Tim, this is Noah Blaine."

Unlike Hale, Timothy waited for the gate to be opened, out of respect. He extended his right hand to the older man. "Captain Timothy Reynolds, formerly of the US Army Rangers, Sir. It's an honor to meet you."

"I figured as much since you work with Hale here," Noah said. "You're welcome any time. Molly's up at the house," Noah said. "Have you eaten? Molly can fix you something and we can talk a bit."

Hale, who had been rough-housing with the dogs, grinned at once. "Bacon," he asked hopefully.

"That's a given," Noah said, chuckling, "and eggs. Hens are laying good these days."

Timothy's mouth watered at the mention of eggs and bacon. However, he was of the mindset that he would only eat what the rest of their group ate, out of respect to them all. "Perhaps some coffee instead, Sir? For now at least?"

"You'll eat," Noah said, "and I"ll send a supply home with you so that whoever else you've got with you gets fed as well. That satisfy you?"

After thinking about it for a moment, Timothy finally nodded. "You wouldn't happen to have anything gentle enough for a toddler to eat, Sir?"

"Molly will know something," Noah said. "C'mon now, let's get breakfast and we can talk there."

Timothy nodded again. "Lead the way, Sir."

~TBC~


Timothy Reynolds
Sniper/Co-leader of survivor group

&

Hale Stratton
Leader, Wisconsin Survivors

 

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