Roads North and Trails South Read online

  Bug Out! California Book 6

  Roads North and Trails South

  Robert Boren

  South Bay Press

  Copyright © 2018 by Robert Boren.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

  Author/Publishing South Bay Press

  Publisher’s Note: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.

  Book Layout ©2017 BookDesignTemplates.com

  Cover Design: SelfPubBookCovers.com/Acapellabookcoverdesign

  Bug Out! California Book 6 – Roads North and Trails South/ Robert Boren. – 1st ed.

  For Andy T.

  To be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

  ―George Washington

  Contents

  Previously, in Bug Out! California Book 5

  Laundromat

  Hovercraft Ride

  Shadow Government

  Call for Help

  Milk Maid

  On the Ridge

  Leaves on Fire

  The Hayloft

  Homecoming

  Prisoner

  Peach Cobbler

  Breakfast Meeting

  Damage

  Hit Squad

  Legacy

  Leftover Coffee

  Heart

  Cast Of Characters

  Previously, in Bug Out! California Book 5

  After the disastrous battle in Julian, Seth, Kaitlyn, Angel, and Megan fled, getting motel rooms in Jamul. By morning, the enemy had found them and attempted an ambush, which was unsuccessful. Seth and the others escaped into the hills.

  Garrett’s group merged with Ji-Ho’s group and Sam’s group to form the new Dulzura Group. Garrett helped the other two groups set up at the old Williams ranch a few miles from his headquarters.

  Jules’s team headed north, stopping at a protected location in Paso Robles. He concentrated on building his team, rating the individual members and setting up a leadership structure.

  Robbie found out that his father Frank Johnson was the most important person in the resistance, due to his understanding of the RFID system the enemy was using. Frank developed that system for manufacturing and wrote a white paper on it before he retired. Robbie told Jules, who got worried and met with Ivan. The leadership argued over what to do. Protecting Robbie’s father was viewed as more important than Robbie’s life, so there was discussion about neutralizing Robbie, which Ted, Tex, and Sparky shut down. Ivan agreed to make no moves against Robbie, but said if he was captured, Jules’s team would have to either rescue him or kill him. The team agreed to that.

  The Dulzura group was attacked at the Williams place by a massive enemy force. Garrett’s men came to help, and they defeated the enemy. After the battle, Ivan agreed to send more Battle Wagons to Ji-Ho.

  Tyler and his warriors were worried about the rest of their tribe, who were hiding in the wilderness south of Barrett Lake. Sam and Sid agreed to travel to their secret base with them to check. It was a long, treacherous journey over rugged terrain.

  On the trip north from Paso Robles, Jordan’s coach ran into a roadblock manned by the UN, who recognized them as resistance fighters and attacked. Jordan’s coach tried to get away, but it was damaged in the battle, and Jordan’s team was killed. The incident pointed out weaknesses in the Battle Wagon design. The surviving members of Jules’s team found out where the UN base was, and mounted an attack with local law enforcement officers and many local citizens, defeating the enemy. They continued north and arrived at a winery in Los Gatos, where their battle wagons were retrofitted to fix the weaknesses discovered after the roadblock disaster.

  Sam’s team got to the tribe’s base, but they weren’t there. Tyler told them of an alternate location, near a ghost town. They went there and found the tribe. Sam met Ed, the tribal chief, and Erica, a widow and a brilliant warrior. Enemy fighters found them there several hours after Sam and Sid arrived, and a small battle ensued. The women and children of the tribe left the area on foot as Sam, Sid, Tyler, and the other warriors held off the enemy and defeated them. The tribe decided to walk to the Williams place. Sid and a few others left for home in the Jeeps to get help. Sam stayed behind to walk with the tribe and guard their rear.

  {1}

  Laundromat

  T he three Jeeps rolled down the road into the Williams estate, Sid’s in the lead. The veranda of the big house was full of people, sitting around chatting. Yvonne saw the Jeeps and ran to meet Sid, embracing him the second he got out.

  “You’re a sight for sore eyes, sweetheart,” Sid said as they hugged.

  “I’m so glad you’re back,” she said. “I was so worried.”

  “Good, Ji-Ho and Garrett are both on the veranda. I need to have a quick chat. C’mon.”

  “Where’s Sam?” Yvonne asked as they walked towards the house.

  Sid chuckled. “Walking back with Erica.”

  “Who’s Erica again?”

  “Widow,” Sid said. “Beautiful gal. She’s also the person who trained Kaitlyn to fight.”

  “Sounds like a match made in heaven.”

  “Pretty much.” They climbed the steps.

  “Welcome back,” Ji-Ho said.

  “Thanks,” Sid said. He sat on a chair, Yvonne sitting next to him.

  “Where Sam?” Ji-Ho asked.

  “Walking back with the tribe,” Sid said. “We got attacked by Islamists while we were at their hideout.”

  “Crap,” Garrett said. “Lose anybody?”

  “No, we beat them like a red-headed stepchild,” Sid said.

  Yvonne elbowed him, and he snickered.

  “Ed with them?” Garrett asked.

  “Yes, he’s the leader,” Sid said.

  Ji-Ho frowned. “I thought that Tyler.”

  “No, I’m the war chief,” Tyler said, walking over with James and Ryan. They pulled up chairs.

  “I invited the tribe to come here,” Sid said. “Hope that’s okay.”

  “Good, I was hoping you did that,” Garrett said. “They’re good people. We could use them on our side, and they’ll be safer with us.”

  “We hope,” Ji-Ho said.

  Clem walked over with John and Sarah. They pulled up chairs close by to join the conversation.

  “Where’s Sam?” John asked.

  “Coming here on foot, with the rest of the tribe,” Tyler said.

  “How many people we talking?” Ji-Ho asked.

  “Couple hundred or so,” James said. “About half are good warriors. The rest are young and old.”

  “Some of the old are smart as a whip,” Garrett said. “More brain power is valuable.”

  “That true,” Ji-Ho said.

  “Why are they leaving their hideout?” Clem asked.

  “We were attacked by Islamists,” Sid said.

  “Oh. Figures.”

  “How soon will they get here?” Sarah asked.

  “It’ll probably take them a couple days at least,” Sid said.

  Tyler shook his head. “I’d say three or four.”

>   “Yeah,” James said. “Unless we can pick them up. It’s possible once they get past those big rocks.”

  There was a loud horn blast from the gate. Ji-Ho stood up, grinning ear to ear. “Battle Wagons arrive.” He walked down the steps and headed to the gate.

  “He’s like a kid in a candy store,” Sarah said, shaking her head.

  Yvonne laughed. “Seriously, but I’m glad we got them.”

  “Yep,” Tyler said.

  “Where was the tribe, anyway?” Clem asked. “We got worried when you were gone overnight.”

  “They were at a ghost town next to a mine,” Sid said. “Nice place.”

  “I’ve been there, years ago,” Garrett said. “We modeled parts of Dodge City after that place. I’d love to go back someday.”

  “The Islamists burned it after we left,” James said, face grim.

  “No, really?” Garrett asked. “Those bastards.”

  “Were they following you guys?” Sarah asked.

  “They’d be on foot if they try it,” Sid said, “and the tribe is heavily armed.”

  “Yeah, the Islamists might not want to mess with those folks,” Ryan said.

  “Erica, for example,” Sid said. “She fights like Kaitlyn. Found out she trained her after we finished the battle. She did a drop, roll, and shoot maneuver that was beautiful.”

  James chuckled. “That’s Erica.”

  “They’re lining up,” Garrett said, pointing at the row of coaches forming. “I thought we were only getting six.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” Clem said. “I count twelve.”

  “Hats off to Ivan,” John said.

  “Wonder what’s in that trailer?” Garrett asked. “Behind the green coach.”

  “Probably ammo and equipment,” Sid said. “Might as well go down there and check it out. You guys are okay with the tribe coming here, right?”

  “Hell yes,” Garrett said.

  “Definitely,” John said, Clem nodding in agreement.

  “Thank you for being so kind to my people,” Tyler said.

  “Are you kidding?” Sid asked. “You guys are like family to us.”

  “Yes, I agree,” John said. “You saved us more than once.”

  “And you saved us as well,” James said. “We are brothers forever.”

  The group made their way to the row of coaches. Ji-Ho was beaming.

  “Look, they give original request,” he said. “I surprised but very happy. Very very.”

  “Now all we need is a couple of drones,” John said. Sid and Clem snickered.

  “Hey, drone do job well,” Ji-Ho said. “Almost take out Saladin.”

  “I agree,” John said. “We’re just teasing you.”

  “I know,” Ji-Ho said. “Where Kaylee and Trevor?”

  “Probably enjoying each other in the first battle wagon,” John said.

  Sarah turned to him. “John!”

  Yvonne chuckled. “They’re like newlyweds. Good for them.”

  “That good,” Ji-Ho said. “Here come. See?”

  Trevor and Kaylee trotted over.

  “Wow, uncle, how come we got so many?”

  “Ivan surprise,” Ji-Ho said. “Nice. You move to one of these. I move back into my original rig. My stuff there.”

  “Okay,” Trevor said, “but don’t you want one of the new ones? They’re safer and have more fire power.”

  “No, I want my old one,” he said. “It home. Comfortable for me. You more important. World belong to young.”

  Kaylee shot a worried glance at Trevor. He nodded.

  “Wonder what that was about?” Yvonne whispered to Sid.

  “I don’t know,” Sid whispered back. “Maybe Ji-Ho is sick.”

  “I hope not,” she said. “He’s our connection to Ivan.”

  “Yep.”

  Ji-Ho climbed into the first coach, with black paint on the sides and front. “Come, let’s check out siege mode.”

  Kaylee and Trevor climbed the steps.

  Seth and Kaitlyn walked over, followed by Angel and Megan.

  “Wow,” Seth said. “Look at these.”

  The motors in the coach whirred as the shields moved into place. Then two turrets raised from the roof, the mini-gun in back and a smaller turret near the front.

  “What’s that again?” Kaitlyn asked.

  “That’s an M19,” Sid said. “Automatic grenade launcher.”

  “Whoa, dude,” Angel said. “That thing looks bad-ass!”

  “Seriously,” John said, looking at it. “Belt fed, see?”

  “Where’s the rest of the tribe?” Kaitlyn asked.

  “They’re coming on foot,” Tyler said. “It’ll be a few days before they get here.”

  “Where’s Sam?” Angel asked.

  James snickered. “He’s walking with Erica.”

  Kaitlyn’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great.”

  “Hold your horses,” Sid said. “They aren’t together yet.”

  “Emphasis on yet,” Ryan said. “Those two were made for each other, kinda like two other couples I know.”

  Seth’s face turned red, but he pulled Kaitlyn close. “I hear you’ve been requested to do a job for your chief, Tyler.”

  “Yep, as long as that’s what you two want.”

  “It’s what we want,” Seth said.

  “Yep,” Angel said. “When?”

  “Can we wait until the tribe gets here?” Kaitlyn asked. “I want my mom and Erica to be there.”

  “Of course,” Seth said.

  Ji-Ho came out of the coach, smiling. “What you think?”

  “That thing is awesome,” Angel said.

  “It safer than old model. Armor underneath and in back to protect engine while under way. Grenade launcher make big difference too. Plus better electronics. Little less headroom in front of coach when turret not out, though. Have to watch head.”

  “How are we gonna divvy these up?” Seth asked.

  “We meet,” Ji-Ho said. “When Sam back with other chief. I will give one to Trevor and Kaylee, though, and take back original.”

  “Are these battle-proven yet?” Sid asked.

  “No,” Ji-Ho said. “Team in north getting retrofit to match. They see action soon. I’ll get report.”

  “Good,” Sid said. “There’s always the unexpected.”

  “Yes, true,” Ji-Ho said.

  ***

  Morgan woke next to Robbie. The bedroom of their battle wagon was comfortable. She felt safe and happy, but two things were bothering her. The coming battle was one. The other was more important, provided they survived. Her mind was going over ways to discuss that one with Robbie. She got out of bed and went into the salon, where she could hear the muffled sounds of a saw cutting metal in the big warehouse, forty yards from where they were parked.

  “Hey,” Robbie said, walking out, scratching his bed-head.

  “Wow, you look so debonair,” she said to him as he approached. They embraced and kissed. “Brush your hair.”

  He glanced at himself in the reflection of the microwave door, then chuckled. “Okay, that’s bad.” He went into the bathroom and got out his brush.

  “Want coffee?” Morgan asked.

  “Hell yes,” Robbie said. “I’m still waking up. You kept me awake too long last night.”

  She giggled. “You didn’t seem to mind.”

  “I didn’t,” he said, walking out. “Better?”

  “Yes, thank you. We could both use showers.”

  “Seriously,” Robbie said, sitting at the dinette. “Glad we have a couple days to relax before we have to fight again.”

  “You and me both,” she said, watching the coffee maker sputter as it finished brewing the first cup. She took it out of the machine and set it in front of Robbie, then put her cup in and changed the pod.

  “Thanks,” Robbie said. “Wonder if we get to check out the main part of the winery?”

  “I’ll bet they want us to stay out of sight,” Morgan sai
d, grabbing her cup. She sat across from him and took a sip. “Mmm, that’s good.”

  “It is. You look like you want to tell me something.”

  “I do,” she said. “I’m a little nervous about it.”

  “Uh oh,” Robbie said. “Everything okay?”

  “I’m late,” she said.

  He looked at her blankly.

  “I might be pregnant, silly.”

  “Oh! Really? How sure are you?”

  “We need to get a test kit. I’ve never been pregnant before, so I might be wrong. My schedule stays like clockwork most of the time, though, so this is very unusual.”

  “Maybe nerves are messing with your internal clock,” Robbie said.

  “I doubt it. I’ve been through a lot worse than we’ve seen lately.”

  “True,” Robbie said, looking deep in thought.

  “What do you think about it?”

  He was silent for a moment, Morgan looking more and more nervous.

  “Honey, settle down, okay?” he asked. “I see the wheels turning. Nothing would make me happier than having a baby with you. Really.”

  “But?”

  “But nothing,” Robbie said. “Would you be willing to keep the baby if we find out you are pregnant?”

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  “Good, because that would be my choice too. The only thing I’m worried about is providing for you while we’re at war.”

  “Providing for me?”

  “Keeping you safe and healthy,” Robbie said, “and as stress-free as possible.”

  “Well, it could be a lot worse. At least I know for sure that it’s yours.”

  “Oh, crap, I didn’t think about that. Those cretins weren’t using protection.”

  “Nope. I had a period since you rescued me, though. We’re good.”

  “Thank God for that,” Robbie said. “We should get married.”

  “Do you want that?”

  “Yes. Hell, I already consider us married. Don’t you?”

  “I do,” she said. “It would be nice to make it official, though.”

  “Make an honest woman out of you, huh?” Robbie said. “I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to have you.”