Interlude: Outside of Indianapolis. Fight for the heartland.

With a few minor edits, this Interlude is courtesy of Curtiss. Semper Fi.



He crawled up to the top of the hill. He actually slithered at the same speed the wind was moving the grass he was in for the last few
yards. That made it take close to 40 minutes to accomplish.
He peered out from his hiding place and surveyed the land beneath him. Two hundred yards just off to the left he saw them, setting
up their camp. He drug his rifle case up beside himself and eased his rifle out. He knew he could risk a little movement because the sun was directly behind him.
He slowly and carefully opened his bipod and set his rifle firmly on the ground beside and in front of himself. He then shouldered it and put the scope on the small group below.
There were the ravers that had killed his wife and taken his daughter and there was his daughter staked out on the ground a few yards from the fire. They were ignoring her now. How long that would hold he had no way of knowing. He knew he could kill 3 of them
before they even knew he was there and maybe 5 before they decided to run off and kill their hostage as they went. Why did there have to be seven of them?
"God I haven't asked for much lately; but I never stopped believing even during the worst days of the Long Death. HELP ME I BEG. I know I shouldn't ask for help killing another man let alone 7; but that is my baby girl. I know they have done unspeakable things to her in these last three days. I can't undo what has been done and it won't bring Lori back and I know vengeance is your's and your's alone; but this is the only way to get Isabeau back.
Please let them make a mistake I can exploit and let me see it plainly. Amen"

He watched silently for a few minutes and it happened. Three of the ravers were lined up in front of him he worked the bolt, checked where
the others were. He did some quick calculations ingrained all those years ago in The Corps. 80 degrees give or take, 4 -6 mph cross wind, 40 - 50% humidity, he knew just where to aim and planned his kill cycle. The three in line, then the two closest Isabeau then the other two near the bikes. He acquired his first target, inhale deeply, help his breath stopped his heart and squeezed the trigger.
As the recoil brought the rifle into his shoulder he exhaled thus reducing it's effect on him. He worked the bolt and found his next
target and repeated the ritual over again, and again, and again and again. It had taken less than 5 seconds and all 7 ravers were dead or
dying. The .338 Lepua rounds capable of killing an elk with one round at 1000 yards was more than enough for men at 200 yards.

He rose slowly, haste at a time like this had gotten more than one man killed. He surveyed the group nothing was moving. He put down his rifle and picked up the pump 12 gauge he had borrowed from his neighbor Jim.
Now he ran. He was 50 and back before the Long Death he had had triple bypass sugery; but no one would ever have guessed at any of that to watch him now. The Marine he had been in his youth was back and he moved down the hill with grace and speed. When he got to the camp he found all the ravers dead. His daughter was unconscious ......he hoped......he prayed.....he got to her and cut her bindings with his trusty KaBar. Then checked her pulse. It was strong. Then he collapsed and cried.

He hadn't cried when he found his wife dead or his daughter gone. He hadn't even cried once during the Long Death. He cried now like he had never cried in his life. Sobs raked his large frame and his shoulders shook violently. He cried until he couldn't cry more. There was nothing left.
It was full on dark by the time he stopped. He steeled himself and poured some water over his head and face and took a long pull on his canteen. Isabeau was putting wood on the fire. She had gathered up all the ravers' weapons and anything else that might have been of use and made up an outfit for herself from among their clothes and other gear.
"I knew you'd come Daddy. I never doubted for even a second." He took her in his arms and she wept like the little girl she no longer was or ever could be again. As she cried he thought back to the last three days. He had found his wife dead and daughter gone. He had
not panicked or fretted. He had simply gone and got his sniper rifle. He checked it, cleaned it and readied it for the trip. Then he had gone next door and said simply, "Jim, I need to barrow your 12 gauge and 10 rounds, 5 slugs and 5 buckshot. I'd be obliged if you would bury Lori for me. I can't take the time if I expect to have any hope of finding Isabeau alive,"

He had then got his pack loaded it with what he would need and went to the Livery and looked Bass in the eye and said, "I'm taking that
chestnut stallion and a pack mule." Bass would have normally not let that happen but the look it the man eyes told him he dare not
refuse. He'd have to apologize to Bass for his rudeness when they got pack. He and Isabeau got everything they could and put it together packed as best they could and she had gone with him to get the horse and mule and his gear and then they loaded the mule and as much on the horse as they could. Then he rigged the symtex boobytrap to the gear they couldn't take because here, so close to the ruins of Indy, only other ravers would find it and try to make use of it. "Fuck them!" he found himself thinking and didn't even worry about it for days.

He was surprised it only took a day and a half to get back.He took Isabeau to the local healer/apothecary. Doctors weren't much help after the Long Death without their x-rays and anti-biotics. He dropped his gear off at his home. Then he took the horse and mule back to
the town Livery. He apologized to Bass like he had promised himself he would do. After a quick and quiet explanation, Bass waved aside the apology. He went home and gave Jim back the unused shotgun and turned over the ravers weapons to the town's armory. He
then found his wife's grave and cried again.
As he watched his tears land on the freshly turned soil he formulated how he would convince the others in town that Search and Destroy was the only way to deal with the ravers. No other man in this town should have to feel the way he did right now. Ever.

Chapter 2
The town council though sympathetic didn't see the need to "stir up trouble" The ravers only came once or twice a year to their small town. It was felt to be more prudent to increase the towns defenses. Prehaps build a wall around the town, a log stockade like the one that had stood around this town when it was found in the 18th century. He had simply stood up at these suggestion and said, "I had suggested that 3 years ago when we all first found ourselves here and alive and started to rebuild. I was called alarmist and other things not so nice. Well I won't waste anymore breath. You go ahead and build your wall or stockade or whatever. The ravers will just toss molotovs, wait for that section of wall to burn as they pick off the ones that fight the fire." Bob Turner who fancied himself the Mayor of their little town spouted off about parlimentary proceedor or some such as he walked out of the meeting like a man on a mission.
He went home to talk to Isabeau. She was almost herself again just one month after her ordeal. She had actual been born just a little before the Long Death. So he doubted she remembered much or it. His wife Lori had told her of it however. Lori had a way of making people see the good that the Long Death had showed. How people had helped each other as best they could and then when it looked like it was ending, like they really had made a difference they had rebuilt this small town. It was chosen because it was right on the Wabash at apoint where the river was wide enough to be a good rifle shot between shores. Also because it had been a place with a lot of local Amish farmers. The Amish at first had been spared the disease because they had just pulled back into their own communities and shunned the outside world. It had only taken one infected orphaned child to wipe out all of the local Amish. A crying two or three year old walking into their area it's parents dead somewhere along it's backtrail.The Amish being somewhat inbred didn't have the immunity wherewithall to fight off the Killer Flu. This meant there was a lot of livestock around to gather up as well as the farming impliments and such and even the taking over of several of the better farms for the town's needs. The Amish hadn't used hybrid corps so they could save back some crop as seed to grow the next. They had wheat, barley, oats, rye, sorgum, milo, alfalfa and dent corn. As well as fruit orchards of apples, peaches, and pears. There was even a vineyard and winery from a guy named DuBois who had done everything like 18th century France when he discovered that the soil on his family's 200 acres was a clay much like that where the best red wines in France had grown in. He had made money in the stock market returned to his Indiana boyhood home imported the grapes and built up his winery in a very short time He had cellars with thousands of bottles of wine in perfect conditions for proper aging and preservation. He had made a name for himself with his little winery and then been one of the first to die in the area during the Long Death. The town used the wine as their primary trade good with other towns. A few of the towns people were reading all the man's books and studying his equipment so they could keep making wine in the future. By all the standards of the way the World was now they were a rich town. 200 families made up of big strong hoosier men with their own about them. Saying Big strong hooiser is redundant imn a way. The orifgins of the word hoosier stem from a slang word meaning big and possibly clumsy as well. Anyone that ever played basketball never thought a hoosier was clumsy. Ah but that was what was. Yes they were a rich town and could afford to selectively hore some mercenaries. There were still some honorable warriors in the world. He had been one when the World went to Hell. The day the Long Death started he was a chef. He had volunteered to cook for all the people caring for the sick and for the sick that could still eat and the families of those as well. That is where he had met Lori. She had volunteered to help the nurses and doctors. Her with a 3 or 4 year old daughter to care for and yet she worked tirelessly. He had pushed himself to not only cook and clean but be johnny on the spot with a cup of somethign hot and caffienated or a joke or to break up fights he also had taken to help carry the dead out. Oddly enough the same chemical damage that hd goven him his chronic cough had made him better able to fight off the flu. He got it and never stopped working. He lost 50 pounds in a little over a month. Because of his chronic cough and constant state of being fatigued he never actually knew he had the flu until it was almost over.An herbal cough syrup a friend had given the recipe of years before had been his saviour from the flu that and lungs toughen from combat in his youth. The day he met Lori, actually met her was when his fever finally spiked and he fainted. A 225 pound 6'3" man standing in the middle of the hall asking if anyone wanted coffee holding a big steaming hot percolator jsy sudden swoons and keels over. The thing everyone remembered most was he had sorta whispered, "Oh Shit!" set the coffe pot down on a table off to the side taken a step away from it and swayed back and forth sorta like he was dancing and then just crumpled.Lori had caught him all 125 pounds of her, She had at least slowed his decent to keep him from hurting himself in the fall. she laid him out on the floor on his back with the help of someone else and then put a cold compress on his forehead. When he came to a few minutes later she was sitting in a chair next to him drinking a cup of the coffee he had so recently been carrying around. "Ah you're alive after all. You make pretty good coffee Butch." He had laughted at that. "What's so funny Butchy?""That is what they called me when I was a kid. I hadn't heard it for a long time. It was somehow very comforting to be called that under these conditions. um Can I get up off the floor?""I don't knowan you?" "Your pardon m'lady May I rise from this semirecumbant position?" "Go for it Butch." He got up slowly using the chair beside her for a brace got to his feet and stood there swaying a bit and decided to sit. "Ok you know my name May I know your's?" "Lori, with and O and an I." "It it my most sincere pleasure to meet you Lori with an O and an I. You don't know how good it feels to be appreciated. Even if just for the quality of my coffee.""I appreciate more than that about you. I've seen how hard you work around here. You have been magnificent.""Shucks ma'am twernt nuthin'" He said through a blush. "I can't say as I remember seeing you before Lori but then I try not to look at pretty girls. I tend to stare and then I don't get anything done. Well I try to be sure I seen you in the future, I better get back to work.""Oh no you don't mister. You're going to sit right there and drink a full litre of water then you're going to let someone walk you to a place where you can get at least 8 hours of sleep. NO Arguments." Lori had been with me ever since. I loved her more than my own life. She never mentioned who Isabeau's father was and I have called her mine since the day we wed. Our wedding had been simple. "I love you and I will only leave you if Death steals me from you and I will fight him every step of the way." Is all they said to each other.Lori had fought. Three ravers lay dead in his house when he found her and everyone of the remaining 7 bore a wound she had given them."God I loved that little strong lady keep her safe until I see her again.: he silently pryed and then he said outloud, "Isabeau we need to talk, sweety."

Chapter 3

 "What is it Daddy? Did the council go along with your ideas? Or did they do just like last time and 3 years ago?"
"They aren't going for it. They are comfortable in their new lives. Working the fields and orchards and the gardens and the winery are enough work. They even shot down the hiring of mercenaries. Even though I still have contacts with Bennings and Trumble. I know they want a place to settle and start families now that the border wars are over.They want a place to try and earn the redemption all warriors want. They're on the way here. I'm going to have to tell them that the otwn doesn't feel it needs a professional defense force. Idiots!"
Isabeau looked at him like only a daughter does to her father when he is troubled. "Daddy what are we going to do? I know your right. The ravers have seen how prosperous this town is and it's only a matter of time until they attack in force like you said." He sighed and looked at the floor. He put his hands on his hips like he always did when he had made up his mind." Well I recon there is only one thing we can do. Just take on the ravers ourselves. I'll ask Bennings and Trumble to come too. I don't have anything to pay them; but they are men that fought for a cause alone in the past. and this is a just cause. From what I found out on my little trip last week is that ravers are what we used to call tweekers before the Long Death. Whoever is in charge of those hordes on human trash pays them with meth anphedamine. Which means whoever is in charge has a chemist on the payroll. That means they have explosives and other nasty stuff to throw at us. Their being methheads also means that they can stay up and active for days. They do eventually crash but it can take weeks. They were miscreant no accounts back when their were laws and lawmen. Now they have let themselves become barbarians of the worst kind. I think they reason they took you and tried to take your mother is they are short on women. Or maybe just women that are not so poisoned by the drugs to have babies. They want women for breeding stock OR the leaders want harems. Either way no women or girls are safe. I am not going to sit here and wait for the ravers to prove me right. I would rather not take you with me for your safety's sake ; but I don't think you'll be all that safe here alone. So for the next 3 days I am going to teach you some things you'll need to know out there. I should have taught you some of this stuff already. I just wanted you to have the longest childhood possible because once it's over it's gone forever. They took your innocence from you, I'm so sorry I was away. I let you and your mother down. ...I....I......I'm so sorry."
"Daddy, you have to go on that trading trip you're the only one those people in Jasper trust because you saved Demmings life and he holds a lot of sway in Jasper. Ir's not your fault Jasper in a three day ride in a pack train. Nor that the ravers came when you did. Only the ravers are to blame for what happened here. You came and got me. You rescued me from Hell and I'll never forget that Daddy. I love you and you don't owe me an apology; but I owe you my undying gratitude." " You sounded just like your mother just then." And he laughed. Just a little chuckle but it was the first time he had done anything like it in weeks.
The next three days were taught teaching Isabeau the basics of Krav Maga and Judo and dirty street fighting. He had already taught her bushcraft. Isabeau could start a fire with two sticks almost as fast as most could do it with one of the rare propane lighters that were still around. She could set a rabbit snare and catch fish with her barehands. She knew basic land navigation and water procurement techniques for every terrain in the North American continent, even places that she had not been but her father had. He was most proud of her because she was a dead shot with the longbow he made her. He had grown up with a bow in his hands and it had served him well his whole life. He hadn't sired her but she was his daughter in everyway it mattered. He didn't know how it was possible; but Lori had mentioned it several times. Isabeau was more like him that she was like her mother. She look like her mother but she was more like him in temperament ,determination and likes and dislikes. He taught her where to aim an arrow for the fastest kill on a man. He taught her how to kill with a knife and gave her her own KaBar. He taught her how to make a ghillie suit and how to be his spotter. On the fourth day Bennings and Trumble showed up.
They had come straight to his house. The towns people hadn't even seen them.
He greeted them warmly and they returned his weary smile and handshakes.
"So what's the word Butch?", Bennings asked. Bennings always did most of the talking. Trumble had a raspy voice from having breathed in some acid fumes from a bottle thrown at him by a Southern Invader. Which was the polite term for the Latin Americans that had tried to usurp the Southwest toward the end of the Long Death When the lines of communication hadn't yet collapsed and there still was a government in Washington.
"Well Bennings I have bad news and worse news. The bad news is the council doesn't feel it's necessary to have a permenant professional defense force." "OK I pretty much expected that. What's the worse news?" "I want your help and I'm not ashamed to ask for it. I'm going to Indy on my own. I'm going to reconoiter the situation there. Find out all the intell I can and then if possible I'm going to put a .338 Lepua round through the head of anyone that even smells like they be a leader or a chemist. I know I stand a better chance with someone watching my flanks and my six. So I'm asking. No promises, no offers. Just a request from an old comrade in arms." "Butch I'm 54, if I remember right. I need a place to grow old. Maybe start a better late than never family. Trumble has started courting a women in Jasper in secret. No easy feat consider that town has a concrete wall 75 feet high around it. They even have the river there caged. Only fish can pass and not vry big fish at that. I don't know how he gets in. He promised her he never tell anyone the secret. You know Trumble doesn't make many promises but when he does they are adamantine. You Marines are like that. God but I have learned to love you fuckin' jarheads. He can't settle with her in Jasper. You have to be a registered citizen or trader to enter, leave or live in Jasper. Hell you know all that. Anyway we were looking forward to loving here in , what do you call this town again?"
"New Hope, it had a different name back before the Long Death; but no one ever told me. It was even smaller then that it is now, believe it or not. But it had the old fashioned water treatment facility and all the Amish farms surrounding so it was perfect for the times that are. Look I know of two houses on the east side of town that aren't occupied. I'll vouch for you and help you set up quarters when were are done. The council has never refused to allow someone an established citizen has vouched for. How do you think I got here?" There are several unoccupied houses around town if you have any men that want to settle down, are willing to work and you can vouch for, I'll vouch for them too. And all they have to do is keep the road home open and give us back up if we need it. In the form of an ambush for pursuers if any. Well what do you think? I want an answer from both of you."
Trumble looked up, "Is the house as nice as this one? I can't bring JoBeth to no rat hole."
"It can be Trumble and I'll help you make it so, I promise." "Then I'll help you Butch, Marines take care of their own, Semper Fi!'', he croaked. "OORAA", was the reply he made before he could stop himself. "OK", said Bennings, "I'm in too and I'll talk to some others. I wish I could get all 20 of the guys waiting 2 clicks south to come. I doubt that mant will go for it. Most have been living the traveling warrior life since they were 12 or 13 they don't know any other way. But I'll see what I can do. We need rations for 24 men. Can you swing that somehow?" "I have already taken care of that. I hunted a lot and traded meat for bread and honey. I have 100 pounds of jerked venison. I also have several different cases of vegetables Lori and I canned. I even managed to get a case of wine. I think they think I'm trying to drink Lori off my mind. Will that do for now?" "Affirmative!" ""Wine? I ain't had wine for a coon's age.” croaked Trumble. I'll show you where I hid it all just south of town. You and your men can pick it up and bivouac just to the east of the Apple orchards. Tell your men to leave the apple trees alone. Beecher is a fanatic about his apples. I actually think he counts them on the trees. I have more supplies north of town on the way to Indy. I had to call in every favor I had and a few I didn't and I had to empty my own larder and pantry completely. I think it will support us for a couple of weeks. Isabeau and I will meet you east of the apple orchards in two days." With that Bennings and trumble made there exit.
He slept the whole night for the first time since his wife died.

Chapter 4

 They spent the next day boarding up their house and readying all their travel gear not at the cache site. His neighbor Jim helped with the boarding up and promised to watch over everything while he was gone. Jim agreed with him about the situation. Most probably because Jim had 3 daughters of his own. He had given a case of 12 gauge ammo he had down in the basement. It was military fletchette 3" magnums. To help jim "hold down the fort" while he was away. JIm was a brave man and tactically a good fighter. The kind of man that had been ceturions in the Roman Legions. Not a strategic thinker but a middle administrator and a deadly when he had to be. In the largest confrontation with the ravers, early in their rebuilding of the town Jim and he together had fought off 25 ravers. Jim had used his "tricked out" Remington 1100 semiauto shotgun to amazing effect. He showed fire discipline, marshalling his shots to when they would be most effective. He preferred his Gunsite .45s for close quarters. Back before the Long Death he had both a couple of Duetonics Combat Master .45s from two of his cousins that had bought the handguns together and then years later needed extra cash. He had gotten a "family discount" which was a good price and had sent them off to the Gunsite's gunsmith for their outstanding overhauling. Every sharp edge was ground down and honed and polished smooth so no part of the handgun would snag clothing. The feed ramps were throated for better feeding of hollow point ammo. low profile yet high visibilty tritium 3 dot sights. Everything they did made a handgun specifically designed for combat even better suited for it. In that fire fight with the ravers those years ago he had fired his brace of pistols exactly 14 times and 14 ravers had dropped in their tracks one almost 1/2 inch whole in their chest right over the center of the heart, give or take an inch. What happened when his pistols went dry and the last of the ravers were on them is why Jim always did any favor he had asked him without discussion. He had drawn his KaBar in his left hand and a tomahawk his blacksmith uncle had made him when he had joined the Corps. He had been a blur and he waded into them and four fell dead with looks of horror on their faces he had heard a grunt behind turn and found two ravers had tackled Jim. The tomahawk had flown across the 10 feet in the blink of an eye and buried into the back of one ravers skull. With his right arm now free Jim used his own knife to finish the other raver. The fight was over both he and Jim wer bloody but only a little of it was their own. That was when the rest of the townsmen had arrived. 7 - 10 minutes of firefight followed by at least 2 minutes of hand to hand and they were just now showing? That was the first time the town council had told him they owned him any favor he may need in the future. He had learned soon on their promises were almost hollow. He had simply asked that his and Jim's ammo be replaced. They had almost balked at that. It wasn't until he said he would never spend his ammunition to defend anything other than his own home.
He shook Jim's hand and hugged Jim's wife, who had been as close a friend to as he was with Jim. Isabeau came from back around the house and he was shocked to see she had cut her hair into a crew cut like his. She had had the prettiest, long flowing strawberry blond hair, like her mother. He didn't say anything but she volunteered, "I thought it would be better if I looked like a boy from a distance." "Smart thinking sweetling." Isabeau said her goodbyes to Jim, his wife and daughters and they had left.
They fought the armed men encamped exactly where he thought they would be. He used the occasion to train Isabeau. they had donned their ghillie suits and she and he slithed to within 30 yards of the camp undetected. Then she had made her only mistake. she moved without scanning her surroundings first. Luckily the guard had only thought it was a racoon or something and hadn't brought his weapon to bare. however, while the guard was distracted her father had worked around behind him came up into a crouch and grappled him to the ground, gagged and tied him up. He signaled Isabeau to stay where she was. He drug the guard under cover and as he was basically the same size and wearing the same digicamo he picked up the guards weapon and hat. and took up his position on guard even held the rifle in his left hand as the guard had. from a distance he was 99% sure he wouldn't be found out until it was time to make some kind of signal. He didn't have to wait long. 15 minutes after the first gaurd was immobilized was time for the changing to the guard and he took out that new guy pretty much like he had the one before.
except this one fought better and required being knocked out with a choke hold. He signaled Isabeau to join him and they walked into camp. Bennings almost had an apoplexy. Trumble went to go untie the guards and probably thump them a bit. When the guards came in both with freshly bloodied lips. He walked over and said, "I hope the lesson is learned, Ravers haven't shown must stealth but that doesn't mean they can't learn. From here on in we will be ever closer to their home turf. Our success in this mission is dependent on us beening undetected. Hopefully they never know we were their or left. We all live a little longer without care.I know Benning and Trumble and they know me. Most of you may only know me as a story. I am Butch Blein, call sign Red Feather. There was a sudden common gasp through the camp as 30 men all made it clear they had heard the stories of the Border War and The Long Death. Lori had told everyone that would listen how the flu that had killed so many had barely slowed her man down. That and his legend as a sniper in the war had made these men think he was just that a legend. Probably a myth, made up to inspire them to fight in a time of dispair. A big muscle bound warrior stood up and made it clear he didn't believe this man was who he said he was. Before anyone else could say or do anything Isabeau had leapt to the man and used the Krav Maga her father had taught her to put the 6'4" 250 man on his knees holding his throat with one hand, his crotch with the other and trying to breath. "My father never lies!", she spat at him. Then she nimbly jumped clear of his lunge. As the big fellow started to get to his feet she just as nimbly leapt back and kicked him in the throat again. "Isabeau!" he said in a determined but quiet voice almost a whisper. She ran to his side her head down. "Yes sir?" "You should have made sure he was down and for good before you got that close to him." was all he said. Another one of Bennings men administered first aid to the lout, and look at Isabeau with open admiration. " OK now you all Know Isabeau is a girl. If she can't fend you off. Just remember who her father is and what you know I can do. I think that is more than enough warning. Don't you Benning." Benning turned to face his men and said, "Red Feather will be the least of your worries if I find out you try to accost this young lady I;b gut you like a fish and leave you for the buzzards." "What he said." Croaked Trumble, "She’s our god daughter."
Then they sat down at the fire and made their plans.

Chapter 5

 They got to the major cache in three groups in 20 minute intravels. Bennings and Trumble had agreed with him that they should keep the team in these groups so that the lead group could be supported by the two others each one on a different flank of the first. It was Early Fall, harvest time and the a time when ravers went out in small scouting groups looking to see where a raid would reap the best prizes. This meant they had to exercise caution. This whole endeavor's successful completion depended on stealth and going undetected. He had observed that ravers avoided the traveling rivers and atyed on the old roads for the most part. They would have to really be careful near bridges. It was too soon after "civilization's fall" for roads and bridges to show much sign of neglect. Heck some people still drove cars fueled by biodiesel and electric and E-100 and gas they had put a horded supply of Sta-Bil in. The ravers liked bicycles with baskets and panniers on them for some reason. Probably because their drug addled brains couldn't handle more. With each year since the Long Death fewer and fewer people ventured out in vehicles. Raver numbers were growing it would seem.
When they were all assembled under the trees he showed them where he had hid the 3 24 foot canoes he had made from maple, canvas glue and paint. each could hold 5 with about 1200 pounds of gear. He had not planned on have 26 along for this ....mission....he found the word coming unbidden; but that is what this is a mission. So the plans had had to be altered from what he had originally formulated. Bennings and Trumbles men lead by Trumble woul;d take the canoes to the place he had picked for their camp 1 mile from the highway corridor he had planned on having the ambush set up at. If they were followed out of Indy by ravers this ambush would be there saving grace. If they could get that far under pursuit. He showed them the mechanisms of mayhem he had devised for part of the ambush's bag of tricks. Directional mines made to look like old orange highway pylons, dirty and disused along the road like so many were now. 3 "potato cannons" and the tennis balls with a ball of semtex surrounded my BBs and an impact fuse inside for projectiles. Last but not least, something no one knew he had poccessed, 3 M-60 machineguns he had salvaged from a National Gaurd armory at the height of the Long Death. Bennings was suitably impressed. "Looks like someone knew this kind of war was unavoidable." "Well I was a Boy Scout before I was a Marine and I took that motto "Be Prepared" seriously. Any of your men trained on these?" "Yep, Simmons, McGrouder and Waverly all have enough experience to traim others for backup and ammo men.", said Trumble with the biggest grin he had ever seen on Trumble's scarred face."Butch I knew before I'd follow you into Hell if you asked; but this just points to why. You think of the angles and plan for them." Trumble went on, probably more for the sake of the men than his. "Well I try. I know you know how to set up n ambush so you'll lead that group and I know I can depend on all of you. There is enough ammo here for a major firefight and I cached some more at the campsite. Be careful in these canoes remember to stop before you get to the bridges and scout them out before going under them. Ravers like to ambush to even if only in bush league ways."
They watched the canoes wake their way up river and then he said to the five others left. "Well we need to move as fast as caution allows and get somewhere but I have to know something first. Isabeau, can you handle going back to place where I rescued you? I think if the bikes are still there we can make use of them. If not that is the fastest way to get where we are going." She thought it over for several minutes, then said in a strong voice.” Yes Sir." He had to bite his lip to keep from smiling. She was taking this uniform and situation seriously and because he was who he was and she her he thought it adorable in a way only a father could. "OK then let's get going. We're burning daylight."" he said as the sun just broke over the trees in the distance. At the paced trot of double time they moved out with the youngest and fastest among them Kruger taking point, like he usually did. He bolted 200 yards ahead and then dropped into pace with the gorup behind to keep the distance constant. They found the bikes where he had left them as well as seven bodies picked over by wild animals and buzzards. He disarmed his boobytrap and they got the bikes ready to travel. They rode the bikes for about a click and made camp They set their guards and he drifted off to sleep without any supper. He hadn't run so far for a long time.

Chapter 6

 He awoke and brought wrist watch up to his eyes, removed the cover and hit the light cupping his hand around it so the light would not be visible except to himself. It was 05:10. He got up silently, found the field latrine. Then he checked the guards. They must have changed the guard at 04:00 as was SOP. He found a bed of coaks shielded with rocks with a pot of coffee on. One of his most prized cache'ed items that he usually only took out of his homemade ice cave at Christmas. This coffee he had triple wrapped and triple vacuumed packed befor freezing. It was Organic Peruvian Slow roasted in a copper pot and stirred with an oak paddle by an 80 year old Italian American that had worked in his restaurant before the Long Death. The well seasoned as he referred to him, the elderly as the news had reported at the time were the first to die at the start of the Long Death and Little Joe Carpizzi was one and it had been as though he had lost a dear family member. Before he got sick, fearing he would Little Joe had roasted 250 pounds of the coffee his young boss liked so much just the way he liked it.(he had bought it with his own savings and did it on the qt) Joe had died Christmas Day and had left a will leaving his boss, who was like the son he never had, His savings, the coffee, and his proceedure manual for roasting his coffee. He drank a pot of the coffee every Christmas in memorium. Now he poured a cup and took a sip......Isabeau must have made it. It was just right. He looked around and she was no where to be seen. He stood up and then he saw what must be her in a hammock well hidden between two pine trees. She must have take a watch. She had probably insisted upon it knowing her. He scrounged up so breakfast as he found he was ravenous. He drank half a gallon of water with enough enough gatoraid for a pint of water. This replaced electrolytes better than plain water but did not tax the liver or kidneys as much as full strength. It was something he had learned in The Corps. He did some light PT and stretched. My God he thought I am 50 after all. It took him 25 minutes to feel up to get going but they wouldn't leave until 10:00 as he wanted to get to their next camp just before dusk. They were in the flatlands that surround Indy. The elevation of the land didn't vary more than 10 feet for over 20, 000 acres. The whole center and northern part of this land that used to be the 19th State. That is why some had said back in his youth that Indiana was the beginning of the prairie. The only thing that kept you from being able to see 20 miles was the trees. Bennings woke up and came over to join him at the fire and he handed Bennings a cup of coffee. "Oh my God this is the same stuff we drank that Christmas in New Mexico, isn't it?" "Yep, you've got a good memory." "A person always remembers the best thing he has ever had in his life. I said it then and it's still true I've never had better coffee. It actually tastes like fresh ground coffee smells. That's just incredible!" "Little Joe was a master of his trade. A virtual magician." He handed Bennings a couple of granola bars and some venison jerky and he ate like all hungry men do that haven't spent too much time around women. "Dang this is good stuff, I guess you really wer a chef once."
Just then a sentry can trotting up, "Ravers, 9 on bikes headed down the road coming this way. Orders?" "Let's see if we can capture at least one alive for some intell." said Bennings. "Let's do it at quietly as possible." he added. He walked over to his gear and took out a longbow and strung it attached his bow quiver and put on his glove. Then the Bennings, The sentry name Zoule, and a small little weasel of a man everyone called Rat all made their way to an area of cover next to the road.
It was a very warm morning for late September, already 80. The ravers were shirtless on their bikes. He watched them coming through his binoculars and then he saw it on one of the ravers' chests was a Globe, Anchor and Eagle of The USMC. He felt his stomach knot up. He put down his optics. drew his .45s and stepped out into the middle of the street right in front of them. "What the fuck?" and other such quandaries erupted from the raves as they hit the brakes on their bikes. "Any of you go for a weapon and I'll blow what's left of your brains out. Put your hands on top of your head or I'll kill you all." "Who the fuck are you to think you can tale all nine of us alone. mister?" The raver with the Marine tatoo asked.
"As far as you're concerned I'm Death his self. I am not going to say it again, Comply or die." Just the other three men that had come with him came out behind the ravers with weapons trained. All the ravers put their hands on their heads. Each was rudely searched for weapons and hog tied. and dragged into the shade on the side of the road away from camp. He looked them all over carefully. One was basically a zombie his brain was so obviously fried. He just did whatever he was told in a harsh voice.” Dear God! What do they give you jerks that makes you this? And Why would you take it willingly?" Zombie boy slowly spoke," It takes away the bad memories it makes all the bad feeling go away." "It takes away free will and it makes you less than a man too apparently." :He felt nauceous at the sight and the slow slobbery speech of the Zombie boy, and boy is what he was. He couldn't be more than 15 and his mind was gone forever. 'You poor bastard, you poor dumb bastard.", he said as he held the boy's head between his hands. Then his hands made quick movements and broke Zombie boy's neck. His eyes that had looked dead to him didn't change when the life left his body. The boy had just let out a last breathe and went limp. He let the boy drop to the ground softly. Then he turned to the others and said in a flat voice.” If you're lucky I'll show you that much mercy. He watched and Only the one with the Marine tattoo and one other showed any signs of shock or fright. The others were too far gone from the drugs they had taken. He pointed at the ones with the same dead eyes and nodded and Zoule and Rat dragged the off into the strip of woods by the road and came back a minute or two later wiping off their knives. They then drag Zombie Boy off to be with his friends in the little woods.
He looked at the two remaining.” I want to know everything you can tell me about Indy as it is right now." "Fuck you old man. I ain't tellin' you shit. And you can't scare me no more because when you weren't looking I took a pill that makes it so I can't feel any pain at all for 10 hours. So fuck you and any tirture you had in mind." "What makes you think I can't wait for 11 hours to pass?" and fear shot into the man's eyes for the second time. "I'm still not telling you jack." He grabbed the raver and put him out with a sleeper grapple. "Take him away, but don't kill him. I think he may be the leader of this ragtag little group. Inventory what they had and the bikes. And I'll talk to this one alone for awhile.
He turned back to the raver remaining and asked one question and he saw it cut the young man to his heart of hearts.That question was simple. "Which part of Semer Fidelis did you forget?"

Chapter 7

 The raver with the Marine tatoo actually started to cry. "Who are you?", through the first of his tears. "Major Buth Blein United States Marine Corps attached to Homeland Security for the Border War. Why is a Marine in the service of this miscreant reprobates?" He was now full ashamed and he stammered an answer,” I.......I..........I was..........all alone..........no one left I knew..........I charged a group of ravers to die ......I killed all of them instead. .....I....I......" He stopped crying and took hold of himself and continued more steadily giving up everything he knew. "The leader of the ravers figured I had value If I could teach some of his ravers to fight like I had he would give me a comfortable life with all the pleasures Indy has to offer. That is when he gave me the first dose of "bliss" It isn't just meth he hands out. He was a chemist before the Long Death and he has spent these last few year dreaming up all manner of synthetic drugs. "Bliss" is what makes the zombies. They are the ones that have the hardest time living with they way things are now and what they have been through. He has drugs that can do just about anything anyone would want. They go out and kidnap women and bring them back to fill brothels and breeding houses. He gives them pills that make them horny all the time and it also makes them orgasm easily and frequently and crave both the drug and the sex all the time. He wants to start civilazation over again in his image. Him as God King and three classes of people, Warriors, Cocubines and slaves. Warriors defend and expand his empire. Concubines keep him and the warriors happy and the slaves do all the work. Slaves are Warriors and concubines that have done so many drugs they are nearly brain dead. This was the last raid for most of this squad they were at the "yell" stage. Just yell the order and they will do anything like a robot. No will of their own anymore. Mercifully I guess slavery has a short life span. Since they are so far gone by the time they enter that life and since they are dependant of stimulates to function their hearts give out fairly quickly. I have wanted to escape I hardly take any of his drugs. Just enough to avoid discovery. I just didn't have anywhere to go." and he started sobbing again. "I'm sorry sir. I thought there was no other choice."
"Feeling pretty guilty and ashamed aren't you son?" "Yes sir I am. I don't know if I can ever make up for all I've done." "Well I think I know a way toward redemption. If you're interested?"
I am sir, I am anything is better than this life sir. I'll tell you all I know and I'll accept any punishment you deem appropriate, sir."
"Very well.", he said as he cut the reawakening Marine's bindings. ""Don't think for a second this means I trust you. I just don't want to carry you/ I'll kill you at the first secind you give me a reason. Do you understand me?" "Yes sir." and he guided the younger man back to camp.
For the rest of the day he sat talking to the raver and writing notes. The chemist had the ravers call him Lord Feelgood and the drugs he handed out were, meth, bliss, X, rage, sleep, calm and painfree. There were also punishment pills, agony, brain wipe and bleeding death. There were apparently pills as well that only Lord Feelgood was allowed to take. Although what they did this young Marine had no idea. It was obvious the this chemist was a raving maniac but his ability to make drugs that the downtrodden would love to take and were addictive gave him power and control over what the younger Marine had told him were well over a thousand followers. Indy was mostly deserted except for the industrial edge of town that bordered the Agricultural subs of the town. The slaves under the direction of the Farm Master grew corps and animals for Indy's consumption. Feelgood thought him impervious to attack in the Industrial compound he had made his headquarters. This made him vulnerable to a carefully planned attack. The news got better with every bit of information from the young man's mouth. As he learned what the young fellow could teach he started formulating a plan to cut the head off the serpent.

Chapter 8
He and Isabeau both on the roof of an abandoned building that was 4 stories taller than the factory that was busling with activity. They were both surveying everything through scopes her's a Leopold 12 - 24 X 100 spotting scope. He through the one on his custom .338 Lapua sniper rifle. So far the scumbag Lord Feelgood had not made an appearance. Colme, the former raver, now acting like the Marine he sohould have been had told him what this meglomaniac looked like and usually dressed like. Bennings, Colme were on the ground floor of this building just in case someone entered. They would never exit. They also stood there to assure he and Isabeau could get at least that far without having to fight. The Ambush was ready 10 miles outside of Indy. They had found a bio-diesel powered 4X4 pickup in an abandoned farm's barn. He had asked Colme why ravers didn't bother to take things like this and use them instead of bikes. He had said something about ravers still having the tweeker habits of taking things apart but no longer the brain power to put them back together so Feelgood had order they leave them alone. That 4X4 was a quarter mile away hidden for use os a getaway car. They had also set booby traps along their escape route that the could arm eaily as they pased each one. Colme and Bennings were going to hang back if pursuit was made in suffiecient numbers they would risk entering the factory with intent of blowing it to Hell where it belonged. Each had 100 pounds of semtex in raver packs on their backs. They were all sure that what was being produced in that factory would add to the explosion immeasurably.
All of a sudden there he was. Shouting orders and gesticulating wildly just as Colme had said he would. Isabeau said in a calm voice, "250 yards, 40 degrees declanation, 17 mph wing from left to right." he did the math in his head in an istant placed the crosshairs for a head shot and squeezed the trigger. The 250 grain bullet was the lst thing to go through Feelgood's mind before he crumpled and fell down the stairs he was at the top of as he and Isabeau pulled back from the edge and put away their gear and headed down the stairs to the ground floor. When they got there Bennings informed them that there was a lot of running around but the ravers couldn't figure out where the shot had come from. Bennings and Colme were both dressed like ravers. They decided to take advantage of the chaos and make their way into the factory. It was a good idea he thought. He would offer cover. Isabeau held a HK-94 supressed sub-gun. She had only taken one lesson to become combat ready with it. He went to the corner and got another HK for himself. They gathered their gear and readied it it for a quick departure.
He knew he was taking a chance with Colme. A chance he had to take, for both their sakes. Isabeau had nursed him back to health as his body went through the withdrawl that even light use of Feelgood's poisons caused. He knew, as any father did, what kind of bond that made between a man and a woman. If Colme did anything to betray them now a gut shot was too good for him. He hadn't told Colme that only that he was depending on him to be the Marine he had be trained to be and finish his redemption. He knew however that Colme knew that Major Butch Blein would do more than kill him if he fucked them over.
One remarkable thing they had discovered was that the cell network was still working in Indy. Feelgood had found a few geeks that could get them and keep them online. Inside the city Feelgood could use solar cells to keep cell phones charged and keep in contact with his Lieutenents and Sargeants. Both Colme, a sargent amoung the ravers, and the other prisoner they had traken, the LT, had cell phones and solar rechargers on them when captured. The LT had been willing to talk once he hit the wuithdrawl symptoms that were more sever in his case because while he didn't take the mind killing bliss he took something Colme didn't know about a drug called bright which actually made a person smarter then they would be without it but Craig the LT had not know why; just that it was the most addictive drug Feelgood gave out.
They had made the captured cellphones into the detonation devices for the semtex. They would just need to get another and call their numbers which Colme knew. Colme said that it would be easy to get one off a factory shift leader.
As they watched the chaos still insued. The upper eschelon were gathering the lower to see who had fired the shot that had killed Feelgood. It was the Perfect Clusterfuck. He couldn't have wwished for a better response. He looked over at Isabeau, "See how well oiled the drug addled society runs? Back before you were born there were people that argued that this kind of shit should be legal and sold in corner stores. Sorry for my swearing sweetling but this just burns me. That Feelgood took so many people's free will away." "I understand Daddy. This isn't living this isn't even exsisting this is Hell on Earth. It's sickening and horrible." "I'm sorry you had to se it Isabeau my dearest.." "I'm not Daddy. We need to convince the town council to hunt these idiots down because they are just going to wander the country side killing and taking rudderlessly." "I believe you are right. I'm so proud of you. You have both a strength of character and an intelligence that I admire. Your mother was proud of you too." "I know Daddy, thank you, I'm proud of you too. You're then best man I have ever met." Just then they lost sight of Bennings and Colme as they entered the factory from the side door. Now it was hurry up and wait time.
25 minutes later Bennings exiyed the door he had entered. he was packless and he first moved away from their hiding place and then circled around to it. He gave the signal and then entered just as Colme left the factory. He was intercepted by a raver "officer" for the lack of a better termed and ordered into the que with the other sargents. As Colme stood in line he watched as he took a cellphone out of his pocket and dialed a number. The far side of the factory erupted in a massive explosion that caused everyone he could see hoit the dirt. From his position on the ground he saw Colme looked toward their hiding place, gave a thumbs up mouthed the words "Semper Fi" and dialed a second number
The explosion that followed dwarfed the first. The entire factory went up it was deafening and the concussion wave cracked the walls around them; but the walls held and protected them. He looked and saw that Isabeau had cover her ears when she had seen Come dialing the second number. He had been to enthralled to do so and now had ringing in his ears beyond compare. He looked again and everyone that had been outside and near the factory was apparently dead or dying. He looked through his binoculars searching for Colme. Where he had been was nothing but a jumbled mass of body parts and debris. Bennings got to his feet , apparently he had gotten a bit of the concussion wave in the chest, and went out and looked for Colme. He and Isabeau followed there was nothing alive in this area that had been a parking lot for the factory. They found Colme's body. He was remarkably untouched, it appeared but when he bent down and touched his body it became obvious that he was basically jelly inside. The massive concussion wave had liquefied him internally. They found a tarp basically in one piece and wrapped him in it to hold him together until they could bury him.
They went back to their hiding place and got their gear. fashioned a littter and placed Come on it. They made their way to the 4X4 before they had gotten 200 yards from their hide they heard the moaning and wailing start. Those that had been out of blast range had made it to the scene and were bemoaning the horror they had found. There would be no pursuit. All the leadership of the ravers had been killed with one decisive action from a young man trying to redeem himself in his own eyes as well as they only authority figure he had seen that he could respect in years. Colme had done exactly that in spades.

Chapter 9
 They were not followed at all. They had not only taken the head off the snake, thye had gutted it. The now leaderless ravers were still a threat to the small towns but not a major one anymore. They had stopped at the farm where they had picked up the 4X4 and there under a massive ancient maple tree they buryed Staff Sargent Jesse Colme. Isabeau had cried they had all give him every sign of respect they could.
They camped at the abandoned farm for the next two days. They kept watch maintained the ambush position and waited to see if their trail would be taken up or not. They decided to head home goinf back the way they had come. The majority by way of the canoes, this time going down stream they would make better time so the overland team would use the 4X4 as far as they could get with it. They made it back in a day and a half. He had them all walk right into town to his home.
The town council sent a messenger to ask if he would come and tell them why he had brought over 20 heavily armed men into their town. He washed up changed his clothes.Then he went and asked Bennings and Trumble to come with him as he saw they had cleaned up themselves. Isabeau was asking the other men if they would help remove the boards from the windows and other doors. While not overly enthusiastic they did as asked after they shot a look at Trumble who shot back his own look that said "do it!"
Bennings, Trumble and he had actually beaten half the council to the hall. On the way he had told the two what he was going to say and what he was going to demand.
When all the council was present the head of the council asked rather rudely, "Blein what is the meaning of this outrageous display of force?"
He had simply looked the council leader right in the eye and in a calm even voice told him of what had happened. He waved off questions as he told the story. When he finished with his comrades returning to town he went right into telling the council that all these men were going to be moving into permanent residence in the town. That they would all work for their daily bread but they would also be the town gaurd. If there was trouble from any source they would meet it for the defense of the town. He made a simple speech about how these men had fought for a home they had only the slightest hope of attaining and how it would be poor thanks to turn them away after they had put themselves into harm's way for people they didn't even know. He made it clear that it was happening so the council had better just get behind the idea. Then he introduced Bennings and Trumble with all the pomp and circumstance he could muster,'This ladies and gentlemen of the council is Major Rand Bennings, US Army Ranger, winner of the Medal of Honor in Afganistan, and in Iran and 2 silver stars inThe Border War. I have never met a more courageous, even head leader of men in my life. This is Sargent Major Byron Trumble, USMC, winner of 3 Navy Crosses one in Afganistan, one in Iraq and one in Iran. 2 Silver stars, 9 purple hearts, 3 Meritorious service awards, and the best man to have beside you when the shit hits the fan I have ever seen. I vouche for them in the strongest way I can. I vouche for them and they vouche for their men. Trumble here has a fiance and wants to settle down and raise a family. I'm sure many of their men want the same. All are good men, fine soldiers that have never fought for anything but honorable causes. With them also comes some very fine weapons that will help keep this town safe from any ravers or other raiders we don't know of yet. AFrom what I saw in Indy I know we can't afford to put our heads back in the sand and hope nothing else bad happens."
The council had started to object before he made his introductions but now they were on their feet and head to shake the hands of the men he had brought to see them. There were lots of questions. And then they suddenly burst into three cheers and everyone was talking about a town celebration and welcome for the men. It would be this Saturday and that if the men had women to gather they should go and get them so they could be settled all the sooner. All it all it went swimmingly. Bennings men would become the local constabulary with gardens in their backyard and work on the area farms 3 days a week.
He was busier than he ever had been in his life working from before sunrise to well into the night, getting all the men into homes and getting his own larder in order for winter. His neighbors and other towns people helped him out in this more than he would have believed. Bass had brought him an entire hog butchered and smoked. Jameson the guy that lived farthest from town which ment his was most at risk from ravers(he lost a daughter and 2 sons to fights with them) brought him a large box of hime canned vegetables and gallon jar of honey, and two 100 pound bags of grain. Butch actually cried his gratitude was so great.
Winter came and everyone was snug in their homes and nothing was heard from Indy until well into the Spring. Zoule and Rat had made a scouting trip and came back to say that Indy was abandoned. They had probed north and it appeared that the ravers had joined another band of like people in the Fort Wayne area. Why were so many folks on that side of the equation? I guess there are always those that would rather take what they need rather than work for it. Would a trip North be necessary? He hoped not.
That June there were a lot of new born babies in town. This would become know as the year of Plenty all the farms made record harvests the vineyard had put up brrels of wine beyond the point of replenishment. Trade with Jasper went well, Vincennes had made contact as well as Washington and Bicknell. It looked like southern Indiana was going to try and rebuild a little bit of civilization. They all agreed to work to keep the roads between them open. Jasper was so enthused they made a gift of all the cement that would be needed. A small town was built near the center of all these small to medium towns that were regrowing and it was called The T.C. for Territorial Capitol. Representatives from all the towns were sent to talk out 9issues and arbitrate trade deals and squabbles. Everyone had a equal voice. Hooisers are practical people and very opinionated and the Long Death hadn't killed either of those traits. So Arguments were frequents but deals were always hammered out in the end. They even managed to get everyone to agree to provide for the food and other goods of The T.C. So the year a man or women spent as a representative of their town they could focus on it and have their needs for the year seen to. It was determined that if everyone in a town gave a little the two families of the representatives could be cared for and that they could have a loose central government to make everyone's life better. Goods were moving between cities along the roads that were guarded along it’s course by volunteers of the towns and surrounding area. Things got so good over the next 5 years that Vincennes University re-opened. Agriculture and animal husbandry, engineering, accounting, herbal medicine were the subjects offered Isabeau went to study to become a apothecary/healer. He had been asked to take charge of the Army of Southern Indiana.He couldn't believe that one of the first thing the Territorial Council had done was discuss and then return back to their towns and work up the folks to get a force together to protect this way of life they were building for themselves. Butch Blein had become a folk hero as the story of "The Great Raid on The Ravers" was spread over southern Indiana.
Each town sent 5% of their population to become this army. He, Bennings and trumble and others they had discovered to have been in the armed forces of America before the Long Death modeled the ASI after the USMC as most of the veterans had served in that branch. The physical requirements were set high as were marksmanship The ASI was 1000 strong and honed to a razor edge when the mass of ravers came form Fort Wayne south. The 1000 highly trained and even more highly motivated ASI with all the best weapons they had had stock piled from the past met a force as thick as locusts of ravers over 5000 strong but poorly armed and with no discipline. The Ravers just charged the ASI's positions with Molotovs, spears, machetes, axes and a few guns here and there. Slow, controlled, aimed rifle fire met the first charge and it folded back on itself. When the second charge came The general ordered the "potato cannons" to be used. A series of thumps was followed by a series of explosions and super sonic BBs that erupted from tennis balls shredded everything in a 20 foot circle of their impact point. Then from the ravers flanks the M-60 machine guns opened up on them. After 1 hour the battle was over. The ASI had only suffered 20 casualities and all those were minor wounds. The ravers were not so lucky less than 200 limped north.

Chapter 10
 Isabeau Blein blushed as the man before her swore his undying love and asked her for her hand in marriage. He was Major James DuBois of the ASl a native of Vincennes and as tall and broad shouldered as Isabeau's father General Butch Blein, Head of the Army of the Spillands. Now the spillands were comprised of one half of Indiana, one third of Illinois and half of Kentucky and The T.C. (territorial Capitol had been moved to Henderson, KY to be as centrally located as possible. The ASL was 20,000 strong and Forts were built and manned all over the Spillands at important points along the trade roads and at points of industry and learning. They had expanded the central government and it was now 160 representatives strong and common goals had made strange alliances. Indiana and Kentucky were linked as Indiana grains were needed for Kentucky bourbon. Indiana and Illinois were allied in Industry of building materials(lumber and concrete).
Isabeau looked him in the eye and said in a more even voice than she thought possible,"You'll have to ask my father for my hand." He balked at that a bit, "You're over 21. It what you say that matters." She simply smiled and said, "If you can't face my father you are the man I can face the future with." Women just love to dig the spurs into the men they love, he thought. "Ok I'll Ask for an audience with the General today." And he kissed her cheek and left her standing there. As soon as he was out of sight she broke into a run to beat him to her father. "How will daddy know what to say if I don't tell him I love Jimmy?"
She got there with 5 minutes to spare and Butch was beside himself in confusion. Why had he not known of this man before now? Well he had promoted him to captain and then major and knew his military reputation and a little of his personal info but he had no idea he had been keeping company with his daughter. Well he trusted Isabeau's judgement. There was a knock at the door and Isabeau retreated into the backroom and closed the door behind herself.
The Major entered and asked the General of he had the time to discuss something very important. Butch asked the major to sit and get to the point in a gruff and ill tempered way. The major swallowed hard and began, "Well, sir you see, I have fallen in love with your daughter and I very much wish your blessings on our getting engaged. In other words I'm asking for her hand in marriage with all due respect. Sir," He sat at attention and waited for what would come.
"Major I wish to meet your parents at the first convinient opportunity. You have acted honorably to this point and that means a lot to me. You have showed both me and my daughter respect and that gets you some points with me too. How long have you and my daughter been keeping company?" "Well sir we haven't exactly, kept company, I have been in love with her since I first saw her when you promoted me to captain after the Tennessee Expedition. I have tried to get her to accompany to parties and such with limited success. She apparently was playing hard to get. When I sensed that she actually felt the same way for me as I for her I asked her to marry me and she said I much ask you permission to ask. As I have waited 5 years already I came here immediately and presented my case.Sir."
"I see. Well then I would say this has not been a hasty decision on your part. I guess Isabeau wanted to see if you'd hold on and see this through. She hates quiters and lack of resolve. As do I. You have my permission to ask her. If she says yes you hyave my blessings. This may mean the end of your military career however. I can not show you favor as my son in law and I'll demand more from you than any other officer under my command. Can you live with that?" "Yes sir, you can not hold me to a higher standard than I do myself, Sir."
"We shall see Major. Now if you'll excuse me I have to prepare a report for the Central Council about all the things we discovered at the Crane Naval Base. As well as the Border Forts. We have a report that emissaries have come from as far as Wyoming to seek trade. That means we may well be "The United States of America" again someday "from Sea to Shining Sea" and all that. That would be a good legacy to leave my grandchildren eh?" "Yes sir, thank you and goodbye." He saluted and left.
Isabeau came back into the room and scolded her father for not being harder on him. Butch just laughed and said,” Making the poor fellow wait 5 years is hard enough on him I think. I wish your mother was here to see you get married." and he wiped a tear from his cheek. "You know I never thought I'd make it to 65." "Daddy you still are the best man I ever knew. You have helped rebuild the World. You have sacrificed a lot for the common good daddy." "Someone had to. It's the American think to do." "You mean it's the "Marine" thing to do."
"He looked at her and simply said,” In this case it is the same thing. You know I love you and I am as proud of you as a father can be right?"
"Yes daddy I do," "You know you're 31 Isabeau I think you can call me Dad instead of daddy by now." "No I can't daddy means more and you'll always be my daddy. Dad is the guy you smile at and love but you're on the same level as and you can take or leave his advice and know that your basically on your own. Daddy is your protector and comforter and your sage and the one you respect and defer to in all things." He swallowed hard, hugged her and told her she should probably get back to her clinic. When she left he blew his nose, wiped his eyes and finished his report for the Central Council.

Epilogue
 It was his 65th Birthday and the whole of the Spillands was celebrating he had been asked to be in Henderson so the statesfolk their(the term politician was an insult in these days) No one wanted to make a life in government anymore just do a term and get back to caring for their families. Well General Bline complied along with his daughter and her new husband and they were now in the great hall of the newly finished Capitol building. It was the pinnacle of architechture that could be produced as the world was now and it was grand. Tthere was a long speech that did nothing but embarass Butch. The General Bennings took the podium and spoke exactly 2 minutes. Butch heard every word and with each found his chest and throat tightening/ Bennings looked at the crowd and said, "Ladies and gentleman of the Spillands. We all do our parts to help keep life at a level of comfort and safety that we have so far acheived. One man had a vision of this new civilization back when we all were hiding scared and eeking out a living and feeling nothing but fear and not knowing what way to go or what else to do. This one man took it upon himself to build an army and train it. Not for the sake of his own power but for the protection of those people that could build a new civilization from what was left after the Long Death. He never bullied, threatened or even raised his voice to a statesperson to make anything happen. He used reason, logic and good old hoosier common sense and sense of humor. He never balked in the face of danger. He never gave an order he wouldn't follow himself In fact he often did some of the most dangerous things himself never wanting to order someone else into harm's way while staying safely behind. He challenged everyone he came in contact with to be the person they should be, he dared them to be great and bold and to make a new World from the dust and ashes of the Old one. He did all these things and never not once asked for anything for himself. He lives more simply than anyone of his private soldiers. He still does daily calisthetics with his men and still manages to run 5 miles everyday. I'm just 3 years younger than him and I have a little trouble keeping up with him; but them I am a husband and father with teenagers to deal with and the farm he gave me to run. I've known him 25 years and I honestly can think of no finer thing to say than Ladies and gentle ...There stands a MARINE! Semper Fi General, Semper Fi." The great hall erupted in to applause and Bennings wiped his eyes with a hankerchief. It was now The general's turn to speak and he took the podium and suddenly the crowd erupted in "Happy Birthday" He waited until it was over and spoke just six sentences.
"I wish to thank you all for this warm reception. I would also like to express my humble thanks and and warm affection for all the fine speakers, old and dear friends all. Further, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for all you fine folks have done for me over the years. I'd also like to share with you my plans for the future. Today I retire from my position and resign my commission. Tomorrow I leave to see what is to the West and make my way to California."
There was a clamor and the consensus was that he was still needed and that they had had plans for him that he could never have dream. They wanted him to be The first executive officer of their young republic. It was time to make a division of powers, One part of the old ways that they thought was not a bad thing in principle. Butch had wished he had never given them his copies of the Constitution of The US and the History of the US Supreme Court from his library. He would have a hard time getting out of this.