Transformation: Zombie Crusade VI by J.W. Vohs, Sandra Vohs Page B
Authors: J.W. Vohs, Sandra Vohs
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with her breakfast. “President Barnes will be taking you with him on another trip; if I were younger, I swear I’d be jealous. We’ll need to get you packed and ready.”
“Sounds like fun,” Andi responded in a tone that was impossible to read. “Is there a dress code this time as well?”
“What? Oh, no. We just need to pack for all types of weather. You’ll be going to California!”
Andi blinked in surprise. Jack wouldn’t be in California, and neither would anyone else she knew. “I’ve never been to California; do you think we’ll be gone long?”
“Well, I’m not privy to any important details, but I believe he’s planning on setting up another main base out there. My guess is that California might just become your permanent home.”
“Really?” Andi feigned excitement. “Will you come too? I’ll really miss you, and I know how much the president relies on you to keep his household running smoothly.”
Thelma blushed. “Oh, you’re too kind, dear. I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t mind setting up a new place for the president, to make sure it gets done right.”
“Well, maybe you should offer—he might appreciate it.” Andi wasn’t sure of much anymore, but she was confident that Thelma was one jailer whom she could easily overpower if necessary.
“I just might do that, dear. Now let’s get you packed.”
CHAPTER 5
Luke had been home-schooled until his mother was diagnosed with cancer, and after learning to read at the age of five he devoured books at a prodigious rate. His mind was packed full of information on many subjects, but his favorite field of study had always been history, especially the development of civilization. Only Gracie had noticed as he’d slipped into a rotting bookstore in Shreveport. While there he’d grabbed a water-damaged volume titled Preindustrial Warfare to add to his personal mobile library. For most of the past week she’d had to fight for his attention as he perused the wrinkled pages after they returned to their tent at night.
Now, the countless hours spent studying the development of civilization as a youngster began to yield dividends, because, as he finally realized, the study of civilization had mostly been the study of war. With ample time to consider the frenetic pace of the months since the outbreak, Luke became conscious of the fact that he’d done little but fight and train. He’d been reacting to his environment, mostly following orders or forced to act out of imminent need. Finally, sitting in the canoe, slowly motoring up the Red River, he found time to think about the problems he and his followers were confronting in the new world.
Gracie’s education had taken a different path than Luke’s, but she was well-read and creative, with a knack for seeing through to the heart of virtually any type of problem. Luke decided to put the hours spent on the water to good use by discussing his concerns with her.
“I expect any settlements we find to be in bad shape, and their situation is only going to get worse this winter.”
“I know,” she agreed, “even people who were prepared for some type of natural disaster couldn’t have anticipated long-term survival in a world overrun by flesh-eaters.” Gracie considered that sobering reality for a minute or two. “How do you think the folks we just left behind will manage in the months to come?”
“If they follow our advice and stick to their training they’ll make it through the winter. There aren’t too many hunters around here, and there’re probably mountains of supplies within a ten-mile circle of the settlement. If they collect up watercraft and always keep them ready, they can retreat all the way to Vicksburg if they need to. Gladys promised me she’d personally establish contact with our friends in Monroe, and that will plug them into our river alliance all the way to Indiana.”
Gracie gazed at the current passing by,
“Sounds like fun,” Andi responded in a tone that was impossible to read. “Is there a dress code this time as well?”
“What? Oh, no. We just need to pack for all types of weather. You’ll be going to California!”
Andi blinked in surprise. Jack wouldn’t be in California, and neither would anyone else she knew. “I’ve never been to California; do you think we’ll be gone long?”
“Well, I’m not privy to any important details, but I believe he’s planning on setting up another main base out there. My guess is that California might just become your permanent home.”
“Really?” Andi feigned excitement. “Will you come too? I’ll really miss you, and I know how much the president relies on you to keep his household running smoothly.”
Thelma blushed. “Oh, you’re too kind, dear. I don’t think so, but I wouldn’t mind setting up a new place for the president, to make sure it gets done right.”
“Well, maybe you should offer—he might appreciate it.” Andi wasn’t sure of much anymore, but she was confident that Thelma was one jailer whom she could easily overpower if necessary.
“I just might do that, dear. Now let’s get you packed.”
CHAPTER 5
Luke had been home-schooled until his mother was diagnosed with cancer, and after learning to read at the age of five he devoured books at a prodigious rate. His mind was packed full of information on many subjects, but his favorite field of study had always been history, especially the development of civilization. Only Gracie had noticed as he’d slipped into a rotting bookstore in Shreveport. While there he’d grabbed a water-damaged volume titled Preindustrial Warfare to add to his personal mobile library. For most of the past week she’d had to fight for his attention as he perused the wrinkled pages after they returned to their tent at night.
Now, the countless hours spent studying the development of civilization as a youngster began to yield dividends, because, as he finally realized, the study of civilization had mostly been the study of war. With ample time to consider the frenetic pace of the months since the outbreak, Luke became conscious of the fact that he’d done little but fight and train. He’d been reacting to his environment, mostly following orders or forced to act out of imminent need. Finally, sitting in the canoe, slowly motoring up the Red River, he found time to think about the problems he and his followers were confronting in the new world.
Gracie’s education had taken a different path than Luke’s, but she was well-read and creative, with a knack for seeing through to the heart of virtually any type of problem. Luke decided to put the hours spent on the water to good use by discussing his concerns with her.
“I expect any settlements we find to be in bad shape, and their situation is only going to get worse this winter.”
“I know,” she agreed, “even people who were prepared for some type of natural disaster couldn’t have anticipated long-term survival in a world overrun by flesh-eaters.” Gracie considered that sobering reality for a minute or two. “How do you think the folks we just left behind will manage in the months to come?”
“If they follow our advice and stick to their training they’ll make it through the winter. There aren’t too many hunters around here, and there’re probably mountains of supplies within a ten-mile circle of the settlement. If they collect up watercraft and always keep them ready, they can retreat all the way to Vicksburg if they need to. Gladys promised me she’d personally establish contact with our friends in Monroe, and that will plug them into our river alliance all the way to Indiana.”
Gracie gazed at the current passing by,
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