Alright, I admit, this chapter is severely overdue, but like I said last chapter, I'm trying to make longer chapters for you, the reader, to enjoy (Although I think I might have gone a little overboard with how long this chapter is, but I do think I owe you guys for the wait). Plus there was the regular havoc that comes with the holidays. In this chapter we will also see the first appearance of the twin leaders of the Highwaymen, Mickey and Lou.
Chapter Four
Truth, lies, and black eyes.
While C.J. and his friends were enjoying themselves and preparing for the arrival of the A.S.A. in Hope County, the Highwaymen were busy licking their wounds at an old ski lodge in Colorado with their leaders, Lou, and her twin sister turned anthro coyote mute, Mickey.
Currently, the twin sisters were looking at a United States map spread out on a table, arguing about what the next step for the Highwaymen would be after getting driven out of Montana by C.J. and the rest of the people in Hope County.
"I'm telling you, Mickey. We should just gather up more guys and go back there and kill 'em all! Especially the Rabbit!" Yelled Lou, who was still pissed off at the fact that some random thud fuck forced them to retreat back east.
"We don't have time for that shit, Lou! In case you forgot, the fuckin' Rabbit also killed our other bosses at the derby dinner after we left to torch the homes of those religious nuts. So we need to go around to the other chapters pick out a new chapter boss at each one before we loose all our guys from infighting." Pointed out Mickey.
"But what about the Rabbit!? He made us look weak! He has to pay!" Snapped Lou as she slammed her fist on the table.
"One step at a time, sis! Besides, we don't have enough ethanol to keep taking new turf because the Rabbit took all our outpost before he drove us out! So we need to find a way to get more ethanol as well!" Mickey said, trying to get her sister to see reason.
Just as Lou was about to say something back to Mickey, a Highwaymen enforcer entered the room.
"Uh...Is this a bad time?" Asked the enforcer.
"The fuck you want!?" Growled Mickey as she began bearing her fangs at the enforcer.
"S-Some of our scouts made a radio call outside of Hope County before they left to regroup with us here in Colorado, and the guys in the radio room made a report about what they learned." The enforcer said nervously. "I-I'll just leave it f-for you to read."
The enforcer quickly put a piece of folded paper on the table before he ran out of the room.
Mickey then grabbed up and unfolded the report, curious to learn what the scouts had discovered.
"So what does it say?" Asked Lou as she approached her sister.
Mickey read the report for less than a minute before she scoffed and crumpled the paper into a ball, tossing it aside in a disgusted manner. "The Rabbit is getting reinforcements from out west. One thousand people, most of them soldiers. Actual. Legit. Soldiers." Said Mickey in a calm but serious tone. "We're not going back to Hope County."
"What the hell are we gonna do then?" Asked Lou.
"We're gonna go to the other chapters and pick out new bosses and reorganize ourselves. Then we're gonna figure out how to get more ethanol so we can build up the Highwaymen and overrun the Rabbit and his nation in the west." Explained Mickey.
"But that could take months! And finding new turf to make more ethanol could even take years! What if the Rabbit decides to take his army and come after us!?" Said Lou in a frustrated tone.
"The report also said that the Rabbit and his people are not just trying to rebuild Hope County, but the whole damn country as well. Doing shit like that takes time, so we'll have plenty of time to rebuild ourselves while the Rabbit is screwing around playing mother Teresa." Said Mickey in confidence. "Plus our gear-heads said that their starting to figure out how to rebuild more airplanes, so we'll have our own air force of both attack helicopters and fighter planes to back us up as soon as we get enough ethanol to go after the Rabbit."
Mickey and Lou then smiled wickedly at each other as they looked back at the map on the table.
"We're comin' for you, Rabbit." Said Lou menacingly as she pulled a knife from her belt and stabbed it into the western side of the map highlighted as A.S.A. territory.
"Brrr."
"Something wrong, Cap?"
C.J. looked over at Carmina and shook his head. "No, nothing like that. Just felt a chill go up my spine. Probably nothing." He said as he continued to help Carmina pick fruits and vegetables from the garden to prepare for lunch in Prosperity.
Just as he pulled another carrot from the dirt, C.J. heard the sound of the main gate open and close. To him, it was no big deal.
'Its probably just more folks coming in for lunch.' He thought, until he felt a tap on his shoulder.
Turing to see who was trying to get his attention, C.J. was met by the towering sight of the Judge.
"Oh, hey Judge. What brings you here?" Asked C.J. as he greeted his friend.
The Judge gave a grunt before reaching into a leather satchel on his side and pulled out a rolled up piece of paper that he then gave to C.J.
Unrolling the paper, C.J. saw that it was a message.
"What does it say, Cap?" Asked Carmina.
"Its from Joseph, asking me to meet him at New Eden as soon as possible." Explained C.J.
"Oh, well just give me a minute and I'll be ready to go!" Said Carmina excitedly.
"Sorry Carmina, but Joseph wrote that I was to only go with the Judge to New Eden. So you'll have to sit this one out."
Carmina became disappointed hearing this. "Well at least tell me what happened when you come back. Its gotten really boring here in Hope County after we drove the Highwaymen out." She said, taking a basket of fresh picked fruits and vegetables to the kitchen.
Waving goodbye to Carmina, C.J. quickly followed after the Judge as they left for New Eden. It would be a long trip though, because the Judge wouldn't ride in any vehicles. So C.J. would have to travel to New Eden on foot. Sure, the journey would take a whole day. But then again, C.J. did enjoy the occasional hike in the woods. Plus Hope County was a lot more peaceful now with the Highwaymen gone, and the trip would also give him time to clear his mind before meeting Joseph.
A few hours of hiking later, C.J. was standing before the gates of New Eden with the Judge.
Even though the people of New Eden held him in high regard after beating off the Highwaymen, C.J. couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable around them.
The reason behind this wasn't because they were heavily religious, anti-technology, or that they disliked mutes (a trait of the Edeners that used to be much worse before C.J. came to Hope County), but the main reason was because their leader, Joseph Seed, said that he had a vision from God that C.J. was destined to lead New Eden as their 'Shepherd'.
The people of New Eden believed Joseph's prophecy so much that they even addressed C.J. by the title of Shepherd when they talked to him, which did little to ease his feeling that he was one slip-up away from them turning on him.
With a deep breath to calm himself, C.J. knocked on the gate to New Eden and hoped that his meeting with Joseph would end on a good note.
The viewing slot on the gate opened for a moment before the guard smiled at C.J. and let him in while greeting him.
"Welcome, Shepherd. I see that you've received the Father's message. He is in the main hall, waiting to speak to you."
With a quick thanks to the watchman, the Judge and C.J. jogged up the path through the village.
As he pass through New Eden, C.J. noticed that the people were bagging beans, wheat grain, and salting lots of meat. This perked his curiosity, as it was too early to be preserving food for winter.
Finally reaching the main hall, C.J. pulled back the bison hide covering the entrance to find Joseph praying with some of his followers, only to have their prayers be interrupted by C.J.'s presence.
Despite this, C.J. was met with nothing but warm smiles and greetings by the Edeners as they gathered around him in excitement until Joseph calmed them down.
"My children, I know that you are overjoyed that our Shepherd has come to visit us, but please, I must speak to him in private." Said Joseph in a calm and collected manor.
The Edeners didn't even dare to argue with the Father as both they and the Judge began to leave the main hall so Joseph could talk to C.J.
Once they were alone, C.J. spoke up. "So Joseph...what did you want to talk about? Is something wrong? I saw the other Edeners were preserving extra food. Why are they doing that?" He asked as he began his conversation with Joseph.
"They are gathering food and supplies for our journey." Explained Joseph.
"What journey?"
"Our journey out of Hope County."
C.J. was shocked to hear this. "But why are you leaving? The Highwaymen are gone and the people in Prosperity and the rest of Hope County all agreed to leave their grudges with you and your people in the past so that everyone in the valley can live in peace. Both the humans and the mutes."
Joseph then revealed his reason. "The Judge told me that your people, the American Survival Alliance, will soon be coming to rebuild Hope County, so we must prepare to leave for new lands."
It all became clear to C.J. now. The Judge must have left the barbecue when everyone was distracted and tipped off Joseph and the rest of New Eden about the future arrival of the A.S.A. before he had a chance to explain the news to them.
Realizing this, C.J. quickly began to explain himself. "Wait, Joseph, you and your people don't need to leave! While I know that you and the rest of the Edeners don't like technology, it doesn't mean that the rest of the A.S.A. and I are planing on rebuilding every square inch of the valley." C.J. paused for a moment to catch his breath before continuing. "I was actually planing on having some surveyors travel around the valley with the Chosen to help mark out all New Eden territories so we won't build in those areas and offend you and your people!"
Despite C.J.'s frantic explanation, Joseph's face remain unchanged, showing no sign of anger or betrayal.
"Calm yourself, Shepherd. You can put your fears to rest. We're not leaving because we feel that we are threatened or offended. In fact, many of our family who are too young or too old to travel will still remain here while the rest of us will leave, myself included." Said Joseph.
C.J. became puzzled hearing this. "Then why exactly do you and the others want to leave?"
"Because as our Shepherd, you are destined to lead New Eden into the future. Therefore, once your work here in Hope County is done, we will accompany you to your next destination and help you in your works as best as we can, for it is the will of God that you are to rebuild the land." Explained Joseph in a joyous tone as he raised his hands in the air.
"So your not mad that my people and I are going to be rebuilding the valley, right?" Asked C.J., wanting to clarify this bit of information.
"Not in the slightest, Shepherd. Even though we shun technology, we are overjoyed that we will be helping you rebuild the world, so that all can live in peace." Said Joseph as he began to walk C.J. out of the main hall. "You may leave now, Shepherd. And know that you go with our blessing."
C.J. gave Joseph a nod hearing this. "Alright, Joseph. I'll leave you to it. But just so you know, rebuilding the valley won't be an overnight project. The A.S.A. and I might be in Hope County for a few years before we finished and move on. So there is no need to be in a rush. Okay?"
With the conversation done, C.J. left the main hall, and was thankful to be doing so. It was starting to get a bit weird with Joseph. But as C.J. started towards the main gate, he was stopped by the Judge.
"Judge, I need to get back to Prosperity before it gets late, so could you please move."
The Judge just gave a grunt and then handed C.J. what looked to be a rolled up map.
"Oh, thanks Judge. I'll be sure to look this over when I get back home. Have a nice night."
C.J. then continued on this way past the gate to Prosperity as the Judge turned and walked back into the main hall to find Joseph waiting for him.
"Did you give the map to the Shepherd?" Asked Joseph in a serious tone.
Again, the Judge gave a nod and a grunt.
"Good. While we may not use such things, the Shepherd does. And he will need everything he can use if he is to protect her, so that she can help him in turn." Said Joseph ominously as he knelt down towards the alter before beginning to pray once more.
Back in the clover burrow, Kipo and Lio were walking home from school like they usually did at the end of the day, when Kipo asked her dad an unexpected question.
"Dad? Do you think that its possible that there are still humans living on the surface?"
This question caught Lio by total surprise, causing him to become nervous. "I'm not sure, Kipo. Why do you want to know?"
"Well, during lunch in the cafeteria today, I overheard some of the older students talking about how they heard that there are still humans living on the surface in some places, and that the council doesn't want us to know for some reason. Is that true?"
Lio wasn't sure of what to say, so he gave Kipo the best answer he could.
"I'm sorry Kipo, but I don't think its true. If it was, the council would've tried to contact them somehow and see if they could help us live on the surface. But from what the council tells us, there aren't any humans living on the surface because its too uninhabitable due to either the mutes or the high levels of radiation from the nuclear bombs that were used to try and stop them."
Kipo became disappointed hearing this.
"Oh…That's too bad."
"Why is that?"
"I was hoping that some day I could see the stars in the sky. The real stars, not just the ones on the roof of our living room." Said Kipo as she perked up a bit while saying this.
Lio smiled as he unlocked the door to their home. Kipo was definitely his daughter.
Once they were inside, Lio went into the kitchen and filled a pot with water and set it on the stove and turning it on. He then walked back to the living room to see Kipo sitting on the couch doing her homework.
However, Kipo still looked a bit sad because of what he told her about the surface. He then spotted his guitar sitting against the wall and immediately knew what he could do to get Kipo to smile again.
Grabbing the guitar, Lio sat down on the couch next to Kipo and began to play a few notes.
Getting her attention, Kipo looked up from her homework at her father as he played the instrument.
"Dad, shouldn't you be watching the pot on the stove?"
Lio just kept strumming the guitar while smiling.
"Don't worry, Kipo. It'll be a few minutes before it starts to boil. Just enough time to sing a song with you."
"What kind of song?" Said Kipo as she began to smile from asking the rhetorical question.
"The same song that I sang to cheer up your mother when she was sad, and it goes like this."
(Play song: What We Have Is You by Sterling K. Brown & Karen Fukahara)
As Kipo began to sing along with her father, Lio saw that his song was working its magic, and that with every note he played, Kipo's smile would grow even more, which made Lio happy as well.
To the both of them, time seemed to slow as all the worries and troubles that came with living in a burrow simply melted away, leaving them with nothing but happiness and joy at what they had, which was each other.
(End of song)
When they were done singing, Kipo leaned over and hugged Lio, who then began to ruffle her hair, making her laugh.
"See? The song works! You're not sad anymore!" Laughed Lio as he began to tickle Kipo, causing her to laugh nonstop.
It was then that the sound of heavy bubbling interrupted them.
"Uh-oh, the pots boiling over! Time to start cooking the spaghetti. You keep doing your homework, alright Kipo?" Said Lio as he put down the guitar and returned to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner.
With her blues gone, Kipo continued finishing her worksheets. But despite this, she still hoped that someday she would be able to go to the surface see the stars in the night sky for real.
But until then, she would continue to look forward to other things, like the surprise her dad was planning. All she had to do was wait a few more days and she would finally know what it was.
All was quiet in Prosperity. Night had fallen a couple of hours ago and most of the inhabitants were asleep, minus the night guards patrolling the walkways around the settlement.
The silence of the night was then broken by the sound of someone pounding on the front gate.
"WHO GOES THERE!?" Shouted a guard, waking some of the people in the process.
The guard then turned on the LED flashlight taped to his AR-15 and pointed it towards the entrance, only to spot C.J. who then proceeded to flip off the guard with his right hand while using his left hand to block the light from shining in his eyes.
"Oh, sorry Cap. Didn't think you'd be back so soon." Said the guard.
"Just quit pointin' that damn gun at me and open the gate already, before I jump up there and kick your ass!" Snapped C.J.
If there was one thing C.J. hated more than having a gun pointed at him, it was having a bright light shined in his eyes at the same time.
After a moment the gate opened, allowing C.J. inside. He was then greeted by Carmina, who had ran out to see what the commotion was.
"Cap, you're back! What did Joseph want to talk about!?" She asked in excitement.
"Well, it turns out that Joseph and the rest of the Edeners already knew about the A.S.A. coming to rebuild the valley and they are surprisingly okay with that. Joseph included" Said C.J. as he walked to the main building with Carmina.
"Cap, are you kidding me? Both Joseph seed and the rest New Eden know that the A.S.A. is coming to Hope County with the goal of rebuilding everything to the way it was before the bombs fell and their okay with it!?" Exclaimed Carmina in disbelief at what she was hearing.
After they were inside, C.J. sat down on the couch in the corner of the room and started taking off his combat boots as he continued to explain the rest of the story to Carmina.
"I know, right? And here's the big kicker. Joseph said that once the A.S.A. and I are done rebuilding the valley, he and the other members of New Eden that can travel will be going with me to our next destination to help the A.S.A. and I with rebuilding the United States." Said C.J. as he then chucked his boots aside and removed his socks, letting his feet cool off after a long day of walking.
Carmina then sat down in the chair next to C.J. while handing him a beer that he gladly started to drink.
"But why would Joseph and the rest of the Edeners want to go with you and help the A.S.A. rebuild America?" She asked.
"Well," C.J. took another drink of his beer before continuing. "You remember when I came back from up north with Joseph after I left to try and convince New Eden help us in the fight against the Highwaymen?"
"Yeah? What about it?"
"When I met Joseph the first time, he said that he knew I was coming because he said he had a vision from God that I was destined to eventually take his place as New Eden's 'Shepherd', and lead them into the future. Joseph became even more certain about his vision after I passed some kind of spirit test to see if my soul was pure."
"Cap, are you saying what I think your saying?"
C.J. gave a nod before continuing. "Even though the Edeners still listen to Joseph Seed, I'm basically the new leader of New Eden. And when I leave Hope County, both Joseph and the rest of New Eden will follow me, because as Joseph said: I am their Shepherd."
Carmina was surprised at this. "Well, I guess that would explain why you came back with superpowers and survived that shotgun blast you received at point blank range from Mickey when you tried to save Rush. Did Joseph say anything else to you while you were in New Eden?"
C.J. shook his head. "He pretty much just told me to keep doing what I'm doing and that I have their blessing." He then put this empty beer bottle down on the floor before continuing.
"But the Judge did give me a map before I left. I took a peak at it on the way back and there was also a note inside from the Judge explaining that the map would lead me to different supply caches of guns, clothes, vehicles, and other items hidden around the valley that New Eden hasn't destroyed yet, and that those things would be put to better use in my hands than to simply destroy them."
C.J. then yawned as he lied down on the couch and pulled his hat over his eyes.
Of course, such news would cause Carmina to become excited. "Cap, this is awesome! We've got to find those caches as soon as possible! Can we start tomorrow morning?"
C.J.'s only response was a loud snore.
Carmina then rolled her eyes and grabbed a blanket, draping it over the sleeping Captain of Security before walking off to her own bed.
'I'll just ask him about it in the morning' She thought.
A few days later.
July 4th, 2035
Kipo walked into the kitchen of her apartment expecting to see her dad cooking breakfast as usual, only to instead find that he was gone with only a note taped to the refrigerator to show that he was ever there.
Grabbing the note, Kipo quickly read it over to see why her father was gone.
[Dear Kipo,
I got up early to prepare the surprise for you and your classmates at school. I made you a veggie omelet for breakfast, its in the fridge next to your lunch in the brown bag. See you in class.
Love dad.
P.S.
Don't forget to brush your teeth.]
The surprise. The very thing she had been waiting for all week had finally arrived.
With movements as fast as lightning, Kipo grabbed the omelet out of the fridge and scarfed it down, not even bothering to heat it in the microwave.
After her plate was clean, Kipo ran back to her bedroom and got dressed in a clean boiler suit and brushed her teeth. She then ran to the living room and put on her shoes, grabbed her backpack, packed her lunch and ran out the door to school with an extra spring in her step.
If her dad had to get up early to prepare the surprise, it had to be something big.
Kipo only hoped that it wouldn't get out of hand like last time.
At the same time in Hope County, Carmina and her mother, Kim, were standing in front of her dad's garage in Prosperity, looking at the sight in front of them.
After going out and inspecting the first cache that was hidden in a half buried barn close to Prosperity, Carmina and C.J. returned with the Bootlegger, a modified 1970 Kimberlight ZZT muscle car with off-road tires, a reinforced brush guard on the front bumper, and two M2 .50 caliber heavy machine guns mounted on the roof.
The only problem was that after sitting in a barn for seventeen years, the damn thing wouldn't run. So once C.J. got the Bootlegger sitting on some car jacks in Nick's garage, he and Nick then gathered some of the guys together to pull a few night shifts to get it working again. The end result was five men living and sleeping in the garage for the past few days as they worked on the Bootlegger.
C.J. himself was sleeping under the car of all places. Carmina's dad, Nick Rye, was sprawled out on his workbench in the back. Brandon was sawing logs in the passenger seat with his feet up on the dashboard. And finally, Hurk and Sharky were passed out among a mix of random tools and beer bottles.
As the two women stood there, they were then joined by Grace Armstrong, holding a cup of what passed for coffee in a post nuclear world.
"Their asleep in the garage again, aren't they?" Asked Grace rhetorically.
Carmina and Kim simply nodded.
"Alright, I'll get 'em up."
Grace then took a few slugs from her cup of fake java and spotted what looked to be a red jerrycan through her fogged vision. She then gave the gas can a hard kick, sending it flying into a tool box with a loud crash, waking all five guys at once. From there, Grace channeled her inner drill sergeant and started yelling at the would-be mechanics in the only way an army veteran would.
"RISE AND SHINE, GREASE MONKEYS! TIME TO WAKE YOUR ASSES UP AND HIT THE MESS HALL FOR MORNING CHOW!"
With a mishmash of different groans and complaints, C.J. and the rest of the guys got up.
"What the hell are you waking us up for, Grace!? Its only," C.J. looked at his wristwatch. "8:00 a.m. in the morning!"
Carmina then gave the explanation. "Cap, you said that the A.S.A. would be coming to the valley today. So we need to head to the road tunnel near Roughneck's Crag. Heck, some folks have already gathered near the tunnel and are waiting for your people to breach the other side."
What grogginess C.J. had left from waking up was immediately snapped away as he realized what day it was. "Damn, you're right! You all go on ahead of me. I'll meet you guys at the road tunnel as soon as I put a fresh battery and some ethanol in the Bootlegger and it'll be good to go."
Everyone then went their own ways as C.J. finished working on the car. After months of fighting and building, the A.S.A. would finally make good on its promise to help the people Hope County.
C.J. beamed with pride as his efforts to help people of Montana recover from nuclear war was finally beginning to show, and that if his parents were here today, they would be proud of him and the work he has done, along with Thomas Rush.
A couple hours after they left, Carmina, along with her parents and friends, were waiting with a crowd of people that had gathered to greet the A.S.A. engineers when they opened the tunnel from the other side. But despite the excitement that hung in the air, the guest of honor had yet to arrive.
Carmina then walked over to her dad to talk to him.
"Dad, do you think C.J. will get here on time?"
"I'm sure he'll be here soon, Carmina. C.J. wasn't kidding when he said that he just had to put a new battery and some ethanol in the Bootlegger. He's probably just running a little late because he's bleeding air from the fuel line so the ethanol will get to the engine and make the car run." Said Nick in confidence. After all, he did help C.J. fix the Bootlegger, and he also rebuilt most of his old airplane before that.
No sooner after Nick reassured his daughter about C.J., the crowd started hearing what sounded to be the loud roar of an engine.
Coming up the road towards the mass of people that had gathered was none other than C.J. himself driving the Bootlegger.
With a quick turn to the right then hard left, C.J. put the Bootlegger into a power slide, stopping right in front of his friends.
"Where my fellow Americans at!?" Shouted C.J. in a cocky tone as he was answered with a wave of cheers and shouts of 'U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!' from the crowd while exiting the car.
"Damn, I never took you for the flashy type, Cap." Said Gina as she and the others walked up to the smiling Captain of Security.
"Yeah, I know I usually act more formal outside of a party or a fight, but you guys have never seen me on the fourth of July. And today I'm gonna let the world know that I'm an American and that I am loud and proud about it!" Yelled C.J. as he received more cheers from the people around him.
It was then that a tremor shook the ground, causing some people to stumble from how sudden and strong it was.
"Shit, the hell was that?!" Asked Adelaide as she held baby Blade close.
"Its okay, guys. Its most likely just detonations from the engineers using explosives to help clear the tunnel into Hope County. And given how strong that tremor was, I'd say their very close." Explained C.J.
Three more tremors then came in quick secession, each one accompanied with a muffled boom that got louder each time. After a short moment from the last tremor, the crowd started to hear a low rumble, causing C.J. himself to get excited.
"Okay guys, this is it! That rumbling is coming from a drilling machine that the engineers are sending ahead to break through the other side of the tunnel. The A.S.A. is about to arrive!"
As the excitement started to increase throughout the crowd even more, people started raising and waving American and Montana state flags and held up signs saying things like 'Welcome to Hope County!' and 'Montana thanks you!' with celebratory zeal.
Then the moment finally came. A massive drill tore through the rock and dirt, clearing the tunnel and reconnecting Hope County to the rest of the world after almost two decades of isolation.
The yellow drilling machine then turned off the road and parked before a mole mute in overalls and a construction helmet wearing thick goggles with black lenses hopped out and looked back at the tunnel.
"And that's why moles are the best diggers!" Said the mute before grabbing a radio out of his pocket and speaking into it. "Alright, boys! The road is clear now, come on up!"
The sound of multiple engines echoed from the now reopened tunnel. After a couple minutes, a convoy of military and civilian vehicles finally entered the valley, all full of humans and mutes who came the help the people out, just as C.J. said.
The convoy only drove a few hundred feet into the county before it stopped in front of the now ecstatic crowd, followed by a human soldier exiting the lead truck as he walked up to the locals.
"Excuse me? Do any of you know where we can find-?" The soldier then came face to face with C.J., beer in hand. He then straightened up and snapped C.J. a salute before shouting "CAPTAIN MONROE, SIR!".
C.J. took another sip of his beer as he greeted the young trooper. "At ease, soldier. No need to be so tense, it is a holiday after all."
The soldier relaxed a bit, but kept an air of professionalism to himself. "Be that as it may, sir, I'm still on duty!"
C.J. chuckled at this. "I'm still on duty too. Well, technically. But you don't see me stressing out, do you?" He said. as he took another sip of his beer.
The soldier still didn't budge on his stance. "We have to at least find a place set up camp before we can take leave to celebrate our nations founding, sir."
C.J. couldn't refute that point. Thankfully he knew of a place in Hope County that had enough open ground to camp a thousand relief workers and soldiers.
"Alright soldier. If that's how your gonna be, then I'll be the officer that I am and help you out. Besides, I didn't earn the rank of captain for nothing. Just follow me and I'll take the convoy somewhere to set up." Said C.J. as he walked back to his car.
Just as C.J. started up the Bootlegger, Kim Rye ran up to the car and spoke to him. "Cap, just where are all these people going to stay?"
"Simple, Mrs. Rye. There is plenty of open ground around Falls End, so they can set up camp in the surrounding area and also use the town as a base of operations for rebuilding the county. Plain and simple." C.J. then gunned the Bootleggers engine and continued down the road to Falls End with the convoy in tow.
Back at the clover burrow, lunch time had just concluded at school and Kipo was walking back to class while talking to her friends.
"I'm telling you guys, the surprise my dad prepared for us is going to be great! I can feel it!" Exclaimed Kipo excitedly.
Unfortunately, given their past experiences, Asher, Dahlia, and Troy didn't exactly feel the same way.
"I don't know, Kipo. No offense, but your dad can be a bit…eccentric with his surprises. Remember what happened last time?" Said Asher.
"Oh come on! My dad's vinegar and baking soda bottle rockets weren't that bad!"
"Kipo, my hair got dyed white for a week! I don't even know how that was possible!" Exclaimed Troy as he pointed at his head, causing Asher and Dahlia to snicker.
Even Kipo couldn't keep from smiling. "Okay, but that was a one time thing." She said in defense of her father as they continued down the hallway.
Upon entering their classroom, Kipo and the rest of her classmates saw that each desk in the room had a cardboard box sitting on top of them, and that there was a note written on the chalkboard from Kipo's dad, telling them to not open their boxes until he said to.
Sitting down at her desk, Kipo began to inspect the box that had been placed there, wondering what could be inside.
"Hey, Kipo. Just what do you think is in these things?" Asked Dahlia.
"I don't know." Kipo then gave the box a quick shake, producing a rattling sound. "Maybe we're going to build something?"
"I just hope we're not gonna be using any chemicals again." Said Troy nervously as he used his pencil to poke the box on this desk, as if it would explode on him.
"Did your dad ever tell you what the surprise might be?" Asked Asher.
Kipo shook her head before speaking. "The only hint he ever gave me was that I'd find out at school."
Troy then spoke up. "What kind of hint is that? The only scientific thing we've been studying this week is-"
Everyone became silent as Lio entered the classroom.
"Alright everyone, as you all know, I've been planning a surprise for you all. But its not just any surprise, its a scientific one." Said Lio, causing the students to wonder what they would be doing.
Seeing Troy put his hand up, Lio knew just what he wanted to ask. "In case any of you are wondering, no, we won't be mixing chemicals or anything like that." Said Lio, causing Troy to put his hand back down.
Lio then continued explaining. "Now I want you all to open your boxes and look inside."
Doing as they were told, Kipo and the rest of the students opened their boxes and found inside a small roll of thin copper wire, some screws, a pencil, a screwdriver, safety pins, a short PVC tube, a small wood board with some metal tabs, and a few other things as well.
Not knowing what these things we're for, Kipo raised her hand and was called on by her dad.
"Yes, Kipo?"
"Dad, I mean Mr. Oak, what are we going to build with all this stuff?" Said Kipo as she asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
Lio only smiled as he answered. "Today, we're going to be making crystal radios!"
As the classroom erupted in a wave of excitement, another student asked Lio a question. "But Mr. Oak, there are no batteries with the parts you gave us! How can we build radios without batteries?"
"That the best part about crystal radios!" Exclaimed Lio before he continued. "They don't need batteries to work! Now, we'll begin building our radios by first taking the tube and wrapping the copper wire around it."
Falls End had become a center of hustle and bustle as the locals watched the newcomers continue to set up the tent city that appeared next to the town with cars and trucks coming in and out of the road tunnel for the past few hours.
C.J. himself was busy setting up an office that would also double as his new living quarters in town within an empty room upstairs at the spread eagle bar and grill.
"Just a little more, and…done!" Said C.J. as he finished tacking up an American flag on the wall next to his bed. Satisfied with the work on his room, C.J. then walked down stairs where he was greeted by the bartender.
"Hey Captain, over here!" Yelled a cougar mute as she beckoned him over from behind the bar.
"Afternoon, Ms. Mable. Everything alright?" Asked C.J. as he walked over and sat down on a stool next to the bar.
The mute woman then pulled an ice cold bottle of Whistling Beaver lager from a refrigerator and opened it, setting it on the bar in front of C.J. as she continued talking. "Everything is better than alright! Between the locals and the newcomers," She then gestures to the room full of humans and mutes eating and drinking. "Business is booming!"
"Good to hear. Anything else happening?" Questioned C.J. as he sipped the beer.
Ms. Mable though for a moment before the look on her face changed to realization. "Oh, yes! Some soldier boys came in earlier and asked me to tell ya that when you get the chance to head to Signal Point and meet with the officer in charge of the radio engineers. Didn't say why, though. Might be important."
C.J. gave a heavy sigh. Even with a thousand people helping to rebuild, it seemed that his work was never done. "Alright, just let me pay you for the beer before I go." Said C.J., only for Ms. Mable to hold her paw up to stop him.
"It's on the house, hun. Just keep up the good work of helping folks out." Said Ms. Mable with a grin. "Also, please do tell Sharky that he better pay-up for those kegs soon, or I'll hunt him down and scratch his dick off!"
C.J. chuckled a bit hearing her say that. "That I will, ma'am. That I will." He then got up and left the bar for Signal Point.
After a short fifteen minute drive, C.J. had arrived at Signal Point. As he parked the Bootlegger and got out, C.J. saw that the place was swarming with workers and soldiers who were all busy fixing up the radio dishes. While he was distracted watching the activity of the workers, C.J. was then approached by a German Shepherd mute wearing a U.S. army uniform.
"Second Lieutenant Mark Diggsman, sir!" Said the mute as he gave C.J. a salute.
C.J. returned the salute to the young mute officer and addressed him. "Captain C.J. Monroe. Are you the one in charge here?"
"No sir. That would be Major Briggs. He's in charge of overseeing the improvement of communications here in Hope County and establishing direct contact with the A.S.A. capital in Yreka California." Explained the Second Lieutenant as he lead C.J. to the commanding officer.
Walking along with the mute officer, C.J. couldn't help but feel that he heard the mutes voice before.
"Say, your voice seems familiar. Have we met before?" Asked C.J.
The mute smiled. "Actually, I'm the officer who was in charge of the communications team that hacked into that military satellite and managed to contact you here in Hope County." Explained the Lieutenant.
"Oh, well it's nice to finally meet you in person." Said C.J. as he shook the mutes paw.
Entering the DJ's office, C.J. saw who he assumed was Major Briggs in a dress uniform, smoking a cigar and talking across a table to the native-american DJ of the local, if only, radio station in all of Hope County, named Wheaty, who then saw C.J. and greeted him.
"Hey Cap! Great to see you again! You have any more vinyl records or cassette tapes for me? Maybe another MP3 player?" Asked Wheaty in a hopeful tone.
C.J. shook his head. "Sorry Wheaty, I'm here on army business today. Speaking of which-" C.J. then turned towards the Major and saluted him. "Captain C.J. Monroe, sir!"
"I'd tell you 'At ease', Captain, but giving your current attire-" Major Briggs then gestured at C.J.'s clothes which consisted of a green hat, his blue baseball jersey that he was gifted by the Hope County Cougars after becoming an honorary member of the team, and his dark green cargo pants. "I'd say you already are. But enough about that. You're probably wondering why I called you up here to Signal Point, right?"
C.J. gave a nod. "Truth be told, sir, I was wondering what the issue was."
Major Briggs tapped his cigar out on the table before continuing. "The issue is two fold. First is the death of our leader, Thomas Rush. The second is the annual Fourth of July radio address to our citizens. And as you know, the address was usually given by the leader of the A.S.A., Thomas Rush."
"Yes sir, I know that. What exactly are you getting at?" Asked C.J.
"I'll cut to the chase. Word of the death of our leader at the hands of the bandit gang known as the Highwaymen has shaken both our citizens throughout the nation and the A.S.A. congress back in California. However, word of your exploits and how you rallied the people against the Highwaymen and forced their retreat out of Montana has made you quite the hero to the people of the A.S.A., therefor-" Major Briggs then reached into his uniforms inner pocket and pulled out a letter that he then handed to C.J. "Due to your popularity among the people, congress has elected you to take the place of Thomas Rush and be the new A.S.A. leader. Congratulations, sir."
Reading the letter that he was given, C.J. became awestruck. Everything the Major said was true! He was just a mere Captain and now he had a letter from the A.S.A. congress stating that he was now in charge of the task of rebuilding America into the bastion of freedom that it once was.
"Sir, I...I don't know what to say."
Major Briggs simply grinned. "Well sir, whatever you're going to say, you should say it to the people." He then gestured to Wheaty, who was now standing next to a radio console, waving C.J. over.
C.J. then realized what the Major was getting at and cussed. "Well shit, I was never really good at giving speeches, and now that I'm the leader, I have to give the Fourth of July address. (Sigh)…Well fuck it! Its my first day as the leader, how bad could it be. Hey, Wheaty. You have any music or songs that you'd consider patriotic for a Fourth of July speech?"
"Well Cap, or should I say, mister Monroe, I think I've got something that would fit the bill." Said Wheaty as he walked over to a milk crate and started looking through the different vinyl records that it contained.
"No need for that 'mister' crap, Wheaty. I'm still the same guy who helped you restart your radio station after taking this place back from the Highwaymen. You're my friend, so you can still call me Cap or by my name. But don't ever think that I'm above you or anyone else. It's now my job to be a leader and friend of the people, for the people, by the people." Said C.J. with pride.
"I'll be sure to remember that, Cap." Wheaty then pulled out a record and blew some dust off it before walking over and showing it to C.J. "You think this will work?"
Looking at the title of the record, C.J. gave a nod. "Its an oldie, but I think it will work."
"Alright, Cap! Just give the Major and I a few minutes to set the radio up, then you can give your address to the entire A.S.A." Said Wheaty excitedly.
C.J. then looked over at the Major and asked him a question. "Say Major, exactly how many people do you think will be able to hear me on the radio?"
Major Briggs smiled at this question. "With the use of that military communications satellite that Lieutenant Diggsman's team hacked, we should be able to broadcast your address to the entire west coast of the United States."
Back in Las Vista, in a secret section of the clover burrow that only a few select people knew about, people were working on some computers that were hooked to a central computer that monitored and controlled the various systems in the clover burrow, including surveillance systems that spied on the people, giving the burrow council a way to track and find any possible dissidents that might be considered a danger to the burrow or the council's control of power.
The central computer also monitored and blocked various radio signals from entering or leaving the burrow, making the place virtually invisible to the outside world.
As everyone in the secret wing of the clover burrow was busy at their computer stations monitoring and surveying both the burrow and the people within, one man exited the elevator to the secret wing in a rush, holding a cup of coffee in his hand.
"Sorry guys! I would've been here sooner, but my kids missed their alarm and I had to drop them off at school!" Yelled the man.
As he ran, a woman turned from her computer and snapped at him. "Hey! No food of liquids outside of the break room! If you spill that on the computers it could-"
As if fate itself heard those words, the man tripped over an extension cord, throwing him to the ground while launching his coffee all over the computers of the woman and some of her coworkers, causing the devices to shoot out sparks of electricity before their screens went black as they shorted out.
"YOU IDIOT! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU JUST DID!" Screamed the woman.
The man only managed to stutter a little in response. "I...I-"
The woman then screamed at him again. "YOU JUST FRIED THE SIGNAL JAMMING COMPUTERS THAT KEPT RADIO SIGNALS FROM ENTERING AND LEAVING OUR BURROW! WE COULD BE FOUND NOW!"
Just then, an alarm went off as a red light began flashing on and off in the room, startling everyone.
"SHIT! Quick, everyone, we've got to fix this fucking mess before-" The woman was cut-off as a door to a nearby office slammed open, revealing a man in an orange and black jumpsuit with light blue eyes, blond hair, and a pencil mustache. This man was Hoag, the burrow manager.
"What the hell is going on in here"!? Exclaimed Hoag.
Everyone in the room became silent with fear, because a screw-up this big would usually result in the council giving one or more people a trip to the medical wing where it would be announced a week or two later that they had died after getting a case of 'burrow pox', and that their remains were cremated for safety.
"IT'S HIS FAULT!" Shouted the woman as she pointed at the man on the floor. "HE SPILLED HIS COFFEE ON THE COMPUTERS THAT KEPT THE RADIO SIGNALS FROM ENTERING AND LEAVING OUR BURROW, AND NOW THEY'RE OFFLINE!"
"I'll deal with you later!" Said Hoag to the now petrified man as he walked by him and started giving orders.
"I'm going to go to my office and announce on the intercom that we're having trouble with the water flow to the hydroelectric plant and that there will be a temporary blackout in the burrow. When that happens I want you all to shut the water gates up river of the power plant so it will stop working. After the rest of the burrow loses power the backup generator for the secret wing will kick in, keeping our computers working. From there I want some of you to repair or replace the damaged equipment while the rest of you monitor for radio signals entering the burrow and where they are being picked up. Once you do that, make a report of it and give it to me so I can send burrow security to confiscate or destroy any radios that are picking up any outside signals."
Hoag then walked back to his office as he pulled a two way radio from his belt and spoke into it. "Security, I need two officers to the surveillance wing to escort a man who has possibly contracted a case of 'burrow pox'."
Entering his office, Hoag couldn't help but feel how wrong is was to report the man for a mere accident. But because of the circumstances, Hoag knew that if he didn't report him, he would be endangering not only himself, but his daughter Doag as well. Because if there was one unspoken rule in the clover burrow that all the adults knew, it was this: nobody defied or questioned the council.
Lio smiled as he watched his students give their homemade radios their finishing touches before he gave them their final instructions. "Alright, class. Now that you've finished your crystal radios, try finding one of the burrows radio channels."
As the students managed to pick up one of the few radio channels within the burrow, Kipo's radio just kept spewing static. Seeing this, Lio walked over to see what the problem was.
"Something wrong with your radio, Kipo?" Asked Lio.
Kipo looked up at her father and shook her head. "No dad. I'm just trying to see if there are any possible radio signals from the surface I could pick up." She then adjusted her radio again, only to find more static.
Lio gained a look of concern as he saw some other students begin to imitate Kipo, looking for radio signals from the surface.
With a deep sigh, Lio spoke up so the class could hear him. "Class, I know we've talked about this. But as I've told you all before, the council has told us all that there no humans living on the-" Lio was then interrupted buy Hoag's voice crackling over the burrow intercom.
{"Attention all residents! We're experiencing low water levels at the hydroelectric plant. Gather any flashlights or lanterns you have and be ready for a temporary blackout. Burrow manager Hoag, signing off."}
Lio quickly rushed to a small closet by his desk and began pulling out battery powered lanterns while some students pulled out flashlights from their backpacks, then it happened. The classroom became shrouded in darkness as the power cut out, with only the flashlights and lanterns providing light.
Aside from those, the only other things that were still working were the students crystal radios. Of course 'working' was a pretty loose term at this point, given that the radios were no longer picking up any of the burrows radio stations.
Just as everyone in class began to calm down, they started to hear music coming from one of the crystal radios. But not just any radio... Kipo's radio.
(Play song: This Land Is Your Land – Woody Guthrie)
Everybody in class was surprised that Kipo's radio was still working, especially Lio. They all started to gather around her desk, listening to the song as it played. But as the song got a little quieter, Kipo reached for her radio to adjust it, thinking she was loosing the signal, when a voice came over the song.
{"Free people of America...hear me. Some of you have heard my voice and know who I am. For those of you who don't know me, I am Captain of Security C.J. Monroe, former head security officer of our nations first leader, Thomas Rush, and as of today, I've now been elected to be the second leader of our nation after Thomas Rush was executed by the twin leaders of a bandit group known as the Highwaymen.}
"Dad. I thought the council said there were no humans on the surface!" Whispered Kipo.
"Kipo, you don't understand! The council doesn't want-" Lio was then shushed by a random student as everyone continued to listen to the surface broadcast.
{The date today is July 4th, 2035. It has been seventeen years since the world was engulfed in nuclear fire in an attempt to stop the effects of the Great Mutant Outbreak of 2017. A few years later after the nuclear winter subsided, our first leader, Thomas Rush, empowered by the strength and support of his friends and family, along with the sheer will of the undying American spirit, formed the American Survival Alliance, or A.S.A. as many call it today, with the goals of establishing settlements, uniting survivors, promoting peace and coexistence between mutes and humans, and most importantly, rebuilding the United States to its former glory before both the Great Mutant Outbreak of 2017 and the following world wide nuclear war.
And while the A.S.A. has had its highs and lows, we as a nation have pulled through thanks to the efforts of its citizens and soldiers, both humans and mutes alike. I myself still believe that if we work together, we can rebuild this nation into the bastion of freedom, liberty, and justice that it once was.}
Hearing this shocked everyone in the classroom. They had long been taught that the Great Mutant Outbreak of 2017 occurred two hundred years ago, but the broadcast from Kipo's radio said it had only been seventeen years! And not only were there people living on the surface, humans no less, but that they were coexisting with mutes as well!
Many of the students became both inspired and puzzled by this, Kipo the most. But unlike his students, Lio was becoming worried. Knowing of the danger the situation presented, Lio took the best course of action possible.
"Kipo, give me your radio. The same goes for the rest of you. Put your radios on my desk. Now!" Demanded Lio.
This shocked the whole class. Lio had never talked to them like that before. Kipo was the first to push past her fear and confront her father.
"Dad, whats wrong? Why don't you want us listening to my radio? What are you trying to hide from us?" Asked Kipo as she became concerned by her fathers nervousness.
Many of the other students followed Kipo's example and joined her questioning.
"Why are you trying to take away our radios?"
"Yeah Mr. Oak. Whats the big idea?"
"What are you hiding from us about the surface?"
Lio's nervousness turned to frustration as his whole class seemed to turn on him. "EVERYONE, SHUT-UP! YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! THE-" (CRASH!)
Leo's yelling was interrupted by the classroom door being kicked in as six security officers clad in full riot armor stormed into the room, causing everyone to panic as one of the guards armed with pump-action shotgun leveled his weapon at the class.
"EVERYONE ON THE GROUND! NOW!" Shouted the shotgun wielding officer.
Everyone got on the ground as they were told while the other security officers went from desk to desk, confiscating the crystal radios that everyone had made. All except Kipo, who was still sitting at her desk, frozen in fear.
"HE SAID ON THE GROUND, YOU STUPID BRAT!" Shouted another security officer as he walked to the back of the room and grabbed Kipo by her hair, causing her to scream in pain as she was thrown out of her chair to the ground while the officer smashed her radio with his baton, silencing it.
(Sudden song stop)
"DON'T YOU TOUCH MY DAUGHTER!" Screamed Lio as he quickly got up off the floor and rushed the officer, shoulder-checking him into the back wall.
However, Lio's victory was short lived as he felt himself get knocked to the ground as the other security officers ganged up on him and began beating him with their batons until the officer with the shotgun ordered them to stop.
"Alright guys, that enough!"
"He struck an officer on duty, he's still going to jail for that!" Snapped one of the other officers who then kicked the now beaten Lio in the stomach, causing the teacher to wince as he curled up even more.
The officers then continued to take and destroy all the radios in the classroom. Once that was done, one of the officers walked up to Lio and snapped a pair of handcuffs on his wrist. He and the rest of the officers then pulled Lio up and proceeded to leave the classroom.
Before leaving, the last officer stopped and told Kipo that her father would be released in a week, and that if she didn't have any other family to stay at a friends home until her father came to pick her up.
After the officers were gone, the now terrified students began to slowly get off the floor, not sure of what happened. But unlike her classmates, Kipo remained on the floor and started to cry as she curled up into a ball.
Aster, Dahlia, and Troy tried to reassure Kipo that everything would be okay, but she couldn't stop sobbing. To her, the world didn't make sense anymore and she wasn't sure if it would ever be the same again.
Meanwhile at the same time on the surface of Los Vistas, the mutes and what few humans there were living in the ruins of the city that had a working radio were also listening to the mysterious broadcast that suddenly appeared on the air. From the Newton Wolves observatory all the way to Brunchington Beach and back to the far ends of Cactus Town, all of Los Vistas was captivated by what they were hearing.
And while the mutes were either surprised, inspired, or infuriated by what their radios were broadcasting, one mute mandrill in particular was sitting on his throne listening to an antique radio within his palace with great interest, as this news could enhance or jeopardize his future plans of conquest over the city.
{"With the repatriation of the state of Montana, we now have control over the majority of the pacific northwest with a total of four states that have been brought back into the union, including the states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Once we reinforce our eastern borders against the Highwaymen and strengthen our infrastructure, we will then continue to reach out and help those in need.
And to any people who are hearing this message from beyond our borders, if you are out there in the wasteland struggling to survive, or if you are being oppressed by the Highwaymen or any similar tyrant, come to the pacific northwest and find us. The A.S.A. and it's people will help, be you human or mute. And remember everyone, united we stand, divided we fall.
God bless America and have a happy forth of July.
A.S.A. leader C.J. Monroe, signing off.}
As the radio continued to play music, the mandrill on the throne snapped his fingers, gaining the attention of an orangutan wearing a Victorian era inspired outfit.
"Yes, your majesty?" Asked the orangutan.
"Shut off the radio, Gerard. I need to think about how this could affect my plans." Said the mandrill as he began to ponder the possibilities of what might happen if this 'American Survival Alliance' were to ever come to Las Vistas, and how he could prevent them from taking control should that happen.
As C.J. stepped away from the microphone, he was applauded by all the people that had been working on improving Signal Point, who had quietly gathered around the radio room and listened as C.J. gave his first Fourth of July address to the country. And from the looks of things, C.J.'s message had been well received.
"Alright everyone, I think you've all worked enough for today. Why don't we all head back to town and celebrate the fourth with some beer, barbecue, and baseball?" Said C.J. with a grin as he began to walk back to his car while the crowd cheered him on.
'Okay. First day of being the leader seems to be going well. I guess all I have to do now is not screw up.' Thought C.J. as tore down the road in the Bootlegger, feeling that there was nothing but good things in store for him in the future as he continued on the path of helping good people by lending a hand the best way he could by building farms and towns across America while beating the bad guys into the ground with bullets. Lots and lots of bullets.
Okay everyone, it's done! Chapter 4 is finally done. But holy crap did it come out longer than I intended. Sure I wanted to make the chapter long to make up for my long absence, but a chapter over ten thousand words long is a bit much, so I'll be sure to keep my future chapters shorter.
And in case you guys were wondering, we're through the buildup part of the story and the actual crossover part of the story will start next chapter.
Remember to read and review. And seriously, let me know if I'm making a mistake in grammar or punctuation. I want to get better at writing and would appreciate any tips to help with that.
Have a nice day/night.