Disclaimer: I don't own it all. yada,yadda,yadda. Only my own created Characters.

Warnings: None.

Timeline: Bombs +61 Days (Episode Blackjack)

Series layout: This is set in the Chinook Series. It focus's around the Stout family 15 miles from a small town Called Chinook. Chinook is roughly 65 miles North of Jericho and 135 Miles south of Blackjack trading post.

Chapter series Layout:
This is immediatly following a attack by local marauders. Dale Caflan was hit. That will be discussed later. Although some specifics arent mentioned in this chapter (Such as how they learned of Blackjack. and other stuff) will be covered later when I write the post-attack series.

Writers Commentary: I wrote this without slowly covering time until +61 days. I skipped to here because form here I can cover both directions (Post and Pre BlackJack) more easily than without this.
For referance you might want to read "108 Gang", again before going further.

Also, it is not QUITE as good as I wanted but. Came out decent and I decided not to mess it up worse by "Fixing it" ;)

Feedback: Please leave. Even extreme Negative. I dont even mind Hate feedback. Just lets me know how it is going.

It was early in the morning when John, his wife Deb and son Grant made their way out of the house to the parked armored grain truck.
John climbed in the drivers seat, Deb crammed in the middle while Grant took the passenger seat riding shotgun.

He took a parting look the back of the truck before departing.Instead of carrying grain like it was built for, it looked like it was going into a war zone.

It was carrying roughly 300 bushels of wheat, 200 pounds of salt and a few other assorted supplies for trading. A portable air compressor to refill the tires if needed or run air-powered tools to make any repairs to the truck filled what little space was left.

They pulled away from their buildings and soon pulled onto the county road leading to the highway.

For the longest time no one spoke. It was a grim setting. They needed a strong anti-biotic and a bunch of other basic medical supplies. With all their abilities to fend for themselves, medical abilities and supplies was the one thing they were lacking.

After a half hour of travel they banked onto the highway embarkment. The wheels hit pavement and they sped to the north.

Another half hour later John finally spoke, "You know this already.But keep sharp eyes out. There is predators everywhere. If you see one let me know... After that... well, we will see then."

Grant nodded silently and they kept going. No one spoke. The grimness of the situation had silenced all of them.

If they didn't find what they needed Dale Caflan would slowly die from his bullet wound. He had got hit in the left side. Although it missed the organs, infection had set in. What little they had hadn't worked. Then again Liquamiasone was a cattle anti-biotic.

Another half hour of driving went by. Nothing was said. Silent re-adjusting of positions and Deb's fierce clamp on her husbands arm were the only thoughts or movements within the truck.

As they drove they passed by miles of deserted buildings and fields. Cars lay in the ditch alongside the road. Occasionally a body was seen. The eerieness was unsettling. They only met one outfit on the drive north. A older ford pickup pulling a horsetrailer heading south. Both passed without incident. That was the only sign of a living thing on the drive.

However when they finally reached Blackjack they found it bustling with activity.
Outside the building were a few parked pickups with the tailgates down, people selling off of them. People walked in and around the place.

Upon pulling the truck next to the entrance a gaurd came up.

"All weapons must be turned in," He said

John hesitated a moment then the gaurd spoke again, "You will get a ticket. You can pick them up on the way out."

Nodding John handed the weaponry in the truck over to the man. A shotgun, semi-automatic sniper rifle,3 handguns and 2 fully automatic AK-47s.

He waved them through after a few more moments and they pulled into the grounds.

John shut off the truck and pulled the keys out, "I will stay with the truck. Deb you look for what we need. Grant you follow her. Keep a close eye out. I dont trust anyone in this place better than I can throw them."

"Got it dad," Grant said then followed his mom into the fairgrounds.

As he did he watched the people around them. Some average looking people who looked as if they dreaded the place only wanting to leave quickly. Others who looked at the milling people with a predatory air. He scowled as he saw the few women lounging at the edge of the crowds obviously looking for "Customers" and the men slipping small bags of something to others.

He despised the place. It had all the feel of a scum bar.

They walked around a few stalls. Deb found 2 bottles of the anti-biotic she needed along with some other medical supplies. The man looked her over with a slick willy smile. Obviously thinking he could con a easier price. A look at the bleak looking younger man behind her made him think more carefully in his wording

"Yes. I am sure.You will not find a better deal than mine. You know I hate having to sell these supplies instead of giving them out but I am in dire need myself."

"But 60 pounds of salt apiece...and another 50 bushels of wheat for the rest...," her voice trailed off.

"I am sorry ma'am. But It cost me a great percentage of that just to get it... Now," he paused a moment to let his words sink in, "It is my deal or nothing... And... I am sure it is needed? Correct?" he smiled again and licked his lips.

Grant almost reached across the plywood boards serving as a table and strangled the man. Gouging the price becuase it was a life or death situation enraged him. However he looked at the BlackJack guards wondering around the crowds and thought better of it.

"Deal," Deb replied, "We will be back in a hour to conclude the deal."

"I will be right here. Ain't goin' no where," The man said with a laugh.

As they walked off Grant commented, "You know he gouged us right?"

"Yes. But we cannot do anything. It is this or Dale's life..."

Grant cut her off, "I know. I know."

They walked awhile longer and they drifted among the vendors.
After asking a number of questions they were becoming convinced that people here would not be taking thier grain at fair prices. They likely would have to sell direct to the consumer.

Grant turned and looked down one group of vendors while Deb went to another group. He turned and looked back at the sound of a loud yell.

"SHARON!" Deb screamed.