Surviving the Apocalypse

Fresh Start

For Hanna and the people helping her, 7 weeks flew by faster than they would have thought. The change in the mine was dramatic, as they had called in professional teams to do some of the work that they needed. Work that last time they couldn’t get in time, as she only had a month after nearly everything had already collapsed. This time all of the people with Peter’s crew stayed, especially when she gave them an added bonus of a million dollars on top of the 2 she had promised them. Even Henry Whitaker knew that if something were to happen in the outside world, this Camp would be the best place for his family. Safe inside the walls that he had helped design and build, with a bunker that they would be able to expand to fit far more than their Camp would be able to hold.

This time, the Camp was far further along than the previous time, as they had been able to market some of the ore they processed from the cave in. Ore that revealed a vein they hadn’t known about that gradually went to the surface on top of the cliff. An area they hadn’t been able to fully utilize the first time around because of the steep terrain to get on top of the plateau. This new shaft however would make it an easy climb, Peter assuring her they would be able to make an additional 4 levels along its length as they detected far more than the mining company had been able to detect. It also explained the cave in according to Peter, because it was rich enough that it weakened the structure of the surrounding tunnel to the point when they had used twice the recommended amount of explosives, the shockwaves were strong enough to make the rich ore crumble and collapse into the only opening there was. There was also so much of it, that it took Peter and his team 5 weeks with excavators to clear it to the point that there wasn’t any more falling debris.

That evening at dinner, Hanna had the cards she had made for each of them ready in envelopes with explanations about what their duties and assignment would be if they returned for the apocalypse. “Well everyone, it is that time that you were all promised. Tomorrow is day 50, which will give each of your families 8 full days to do what you need in order to be as safe as possible for what is to come. When the sun sets on the 8th day, that gate closes for what is going to happen on day 9. Hopefully enough of you are willing to take a chance, that we will be able to provide security as well as take in other survivors without risking ourselves.” She said as there were a few laughs. 18 of the families had already committed to returning, meaning 63 people would be joining her Camp so far as founding members. The rest she honestly hoped would return, as some of them had experience they would need this time around.

“With that being said, as promised your pay is here in these envelopes. It isn’t cash as $300+ million is really hard to order, but it is as good as cash for what you will need to do. Good luck and may whatever God’s that still care watch over and protect each of you from the nightmare that will soon unfold.” She told them handing Peter and James the envelopes to distribute with the names on them.

Hanna herself had a few deliveries that were still scheduled over the next week, the big one being an arms shipment that included a missile defense system that alleged it could even take down low altitude cruise missiles. More than once she had told Ramon to go f**k himself, just as her father had done when he discovered the Second Dawn connection. She knew he had even went to the house she had emptied and sold, the realtor informing her that he was asking questions about where she had gone.

So when the sun rose with exactly 8 days left before the outbreak, she was surprised her phone was ringing. Fortunately she had spent the night in a hotel, as she hadn’t had her phone powered on whenever she was at the mine. When she saw Ramon’s name on the screen, she sighed as she answered. “What Ramon?” she demanded.

“What the hell is going on?” he asked. “I have been trying to get ahold of you for more than a month!” he exclaimed.

“I am well aware of that. The fact I have refused to return your calls should have been your first clue I want absolutely nothing to do with you. So what the hell do you want Ramon?” she demanded.

“What have I done to deserve this? First my brother and now my niece?” he asked not believing it was possible.

“You know exactly what you have done, and what’s more what you plan to do. So if you are confused about that, perhaps you should look in a f*****g mirror and figure out where you actually stand. Until than, you have nothing to offer that I would be even remotely interested in.” Hanna told him before she hung up and destroyed the phone so he wouldn’t be able to track her using the military hardware she knew he had access too. What she hadn’t expected was to walk down to the lobby and find him waiting there for her.

“Hanna, we need to talk.” He said to her.

“I have nothing to say to you, and most certainly don’t want anything to do with you.” She replied as she walked towards the door.

“This is about the Second Dawn again, isn’t it?” he asked making her stop and look at him. “How can I prove I am not part of it?”

She smiled as she looked at him. “You want to unequivocally prove you aren’t part of that group?” she asked making him nod. “Kill Paxton and every member of their leadership.” She said seeing the horror etched on his face.

“How the hell is that proof?” he demanded getting angry.

“You asked how to prove it, that is the only proof I want. Unless you are prepared to actually turn against those monsters and rejoin the real human cause, you are nothing but a traitor that deserves the same death they do. Now, if you aren’t prepared to prove you aren’t part of that group by the means described, leave me the f**k alone.” Hanna told him before she shoved her way past him roughly. “If I see you again before it happens and you haven’t done exactly as asked to prove it, you won’t have to worry about proving anything. I will end you just as if you were Paxton himself.”

“What do you know about what is going to happen?” he demanded with a hiss as he grabbed her arm.

She looked him over with a smug grin. “Enough to know the caring Uncle routine is bullshit. Now release my arm before you learn a real lesson about playing with things you don’t understand.” She said coldly causing him to tighten his grip.

“This isn’t bull-“ he said before her fist landing square in the center of his chest blew the air from his lungs in a gush as he released her arm and dropped to a knee.

“Security, this man just assaulted me. Call the police.” She said as he gasped for breath. “Now be a good little b***h and stay the f**k down, I would hate to break you knee caps before you go sit in a jail cell. Lucky for you it is Friday, the courts are closed for the holiday, and they will never reopen to let your ass out of jail before the zombies rise and eat your ass. Seems to be the perfect fate for a cowardly traitor like you.” She whispered in his ear as he struggled to breathe.

His eyes widened in shock, knowing that the military wouldn’t save him, and Second Dawn wouldn’t risk creating a situation this close to their plans bearing fruit. “How do you know?” he asked once he caught his breath.

“Tell me the end game, and I will make sure you don’t die in a jail cell. You won’t have your freedom however, until you prove you can be trusted. Which I don’t think is possible considering what happened last time.” She said as the police cruiser showed up.

“I would rather die than betray them.” He said as Hanna smiled.

“You got it.” She said as the officer approached. “This man is stalking me, harassing me and assaulted me this morning. If you check the equipment logs, I am sure his base will confirm he used military tech to track my position without clearance or authorization to do so. The camera’s here will clearly show me telling him to leave me alone before he grabbed me and prevented me from leaving.” She told the officer clear as a bell so he could hear every word.

“How would he have access to military grade equipment?” The officer asked.

“He is a Lieutenant General in the Army, abusing his power to track and harass a niece who has made it clear as day I want nothing to do with him.” She said watching the color drain from his face as the other officer grabbed him and locked him in handcuffs.

“Officer, she isn’t lying. I won’t condone her shoulder checking him, but I heard the conversation he had before he accosted her as soon as she got off the elevator. Twice she told her to leave him alone before she tried to leave. When she went to pass him, he grabbed her arm and she was forced to defend herself.” A businessman that had been nearby attested to.

“I will check the security cameras, if they corroborate the statements the charges will be battery, false imprisonment and attempted kidnapping.” The lead officer said before he walked over to the desk where he reviewed the security recordings that had captured the conversation as well. He walked over shaking his head as he looked at Hanna. “I cannot condone saying that to prove he is trustworthy he needs to kill someone, however that in and of itself isn’t a crime as it isn’t a direct actionable threat. The evidence however is clear that he did track you using military equipment that his command has now been notified about. There aren’t civilian charges that cover it, but until he is arraigned on Tuesday for these charges, he won’t be released to the military police.”

“Thank you officer, it is greatly appreciated.” Hanna said as she looked at her Uncle one last time. “Good luck, you are going to need it.” She said as he screamed before he was dragged away by the police.

Hanna made the same stop she did every week, the same dog trainer that she had convinced to join last time was being stubborn this time. He however had the dogs she wanted, today being the day he said they would be ready. As soon as he saw her he smiled as Shadow came over to her and sat next to her.

“He really seems to like you, and just as you suggested, he is the unofficial king of this litter.” Preston Garvey told her with a smile.

“He is a good boy, and I am here to get him and his litter mates as we discussed.” She replied as he nodded and smiled.

“For security at this survivors Camp you keep wanting me to join. What predictions do you have for me this week?” he asked amused as he prepared his card reader with the total.

“None, the time for that has come and gone. This will be the last time I visit your shop. The only prediction I have, is to tell you good luck. Hopefully you decide to come before it is too late, because what is happening now, is just going to get worse.” Hanna said making him stop what he was doing and actually look at her.

“This wasn’t ever a joke to you, was it?” he asked her.

Hanna shook her head no before she inserted her card into the reader. She added a million dollar tip, which was the most it would allow. “No, it wasn’t ever a joke to me. I have been trying to recruit you to my Camp, as your expertise in dog training would be extremely valuable to us. It is a skill that we will learn to live without, as I am sure others will be able to master it again in time.”

Preston looked at the receipt just as his phone chimed that the payment had cleared and was already in his bank account. “What the?” he asked in disbelief as she smiled.

“In case you change your mind, you will be able to get the supplies and equipment you need to practice your skills. If not, maybe it will give you a good chance to escape somewhere nice before the world goes to hell.”

“Ok, what if I said I want to join now because you are actually managing to scare me?” he asked.

“You know where the Camp will be, anyone willing to help us help them is welcome. It will be a lot of hard work, but it will be safe from what will happen in 8 days time. Get what you need and make sure you are there before the party starts.” She said as he nodded.

“Ok, I will make sure I am there within the week. I assume I can bring my breeding dogs?” he asked her seriously.

“We will even give you a dedicated area to raise and train them where other people can’t affect the outcome. You can even train the people who will be handling them.” Hanna said as he let the others out.

“Come.” Hanna ordered the animals making him smile as it was done exactly how it needed to be.