Chapter 11
The feast was long, and although the food itself was small in quantity, Shatner and Nate did not complain once. Mashed Potatoes, Pork and BBQ Sauce, fruit and vegetables in stews and salads. Nate and Shatner could not believe that they had just, a moment ago, been in a wasteland of an apocalyptic world.
"What would you like me to fill your cup with?" asked a nice woman who gawked and Nathan.
Nate smiled at her, but then his brain kicked in and he swalled, holding up one hand, "You, by any chance, wouldn't have any Mountain Dew, would you?"
"Mountain What?" asked Hort.
"Mountain Dew, it's a soda," said Nate, his hopes slowly dying with their lack of knowledge about it.
"Oh, we finished off all soda pop a while ago, Mr. Flint," said the girl, "But, here, have some fine Ale, brewed right here."
She smiled widely and poured a brownish, murky mixture into Nate's cup before walking away, blushing. Nate smiled uneasily, before staring into his cup, furrowing his brow.
"I'm sure it's fine," said Shatner, "Maybe it'll be a little strong but it should be fine alcohol."
"I don't drink," said Nate.
Shatner chuckled a little bit before nodding his head towards the cup, "Well, take a swig, tell me how it goes."
Nate lifted the cup to his lips, before half-coughing it up again. His throat was on fire, and he smiled, this is JUST as he assumed whisky would taste like. He didn't want to be rude, so he smiled at Hort and the others watching and he took another sip.
"So," said Shatner, finally, "Our story. You see, I bet it was no mystery by now that we're not from here. We're Americans. Well, all of us except those three, who we picked up around Birmingham."
"What are you doing in Wales?" asked Kevin.
"Well, you see, we've hit setback after setback," said Shatner, "Landing us outside Birmingham. So, we need to get to North Africa. You see, we're chasing a belief that before the war, before the bombs fell, a large portion of the American Government disappeared, along with a good portion of the Military. We believe they went to the official 'fallout bunker' but the idea is that the fallout bunker is not located in or around the United States, that they, in fact, had a large-scale one in North Africa."
"Sounds like a goose chase," said Hort, "Figures, in America they hear it's somewhere else, in everywhere else they hear it is America, like always."
"Well, that fact of the matter is, goose chase or not, if they are there… if anything is there, it's worth the trip," said Shatner, nodding his head, "The American people… they need hope if nothing else, they need something to believe in. So, that's why we're looking. Because finding ANYTHING is better then finding NOTHING."
"Oh… god… I don't feel so good," said Nate, before giving off a goofy smile," or do I? Please, another drink! These cups are empty!"
Shatner looked over and gawked in surprise. Nate had downed his cup, and the cups of four others around him who weren't paying attention.
"Slow down, you," said Shatner, "You'll get sick."
"So, what are you looking for here?" said Hort, flexing slightly in his seat, "We can't help ye get to Africa. It's too dangerous."
"Yes, we know," said Shatner, nodding, "But if you could just get us to France or Spain or somewhere then that could mean the world."
"Nope," said Hort, shaking his head, "Can't do it."
'What?" said Shatner and Kevin together.
"It's just a ride across the canal," said Nate, "You have boats, you have enough land for what I assume is a small plane or a helicopter? You can't just-"
"Look, Hero," said Hort, adjusting his position on his stool, "You've done a good thing here, alright? You've helped us for many, many more years to come. But you need to believe me when I say I cannot risk any of our recourses on your goose chase lookin' for leprechauns."
"But, you have boats… it's just France," said Shatner, in surprise.
"Look, we're very lucky with what our Father in Heaven has given us," said Hort, "Families, a home, flocks and herds, boats for our great fishin' industry, and the ability to harvest and regrow wood from a local forest in such a way that we will have a great amount of firewood for years to come! Now to risk it all for a goose chase… I'm sorry. You're goin' to hafta do this one on your own. Look, we have nothin' against America. The Welsh and Americans have a good history and will for as long as one or the other shall stand. And, you have done us a great service here, so you are always welcome here, but you MUST understand why I cannot."
Shatner shook his head, and sighed heavily, "No, no I cannot. But I know I'm not getting anywhere anyway. Do you mind if we use your WWBC connection?"
"As you wish, you are fully welcome here at all times. Use it whenever you like," said Hort, and he began laughing and pointing.
Shatner sighed and stared off in the direction of his pointing, and his eyes widened with surprise at Nate standing on the table further down and dancing to a fiddle and a flute, preparing for a song.
"Well, the Night that Patty Murphy died is a night I'll never forget," started Nate, a cup of, what Shatner assumed was, brew in his hands, "Somma the boys got loada drunk and they AIN'T been sober yet! As long as the bottle was passed around every man was feelin' gay. Luis came with the bagpipe, some music for to PLAY!"
The music picked up, and a lot of those standing around nearby began to sing along with Nate's enthusiastic singing and dancing, almost falling down several times, and he knocked food aside and did elaborate jumps and twists.
Kevin was laughing next to Shatner, scratching his beard which had began to grow in like his father's, "If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was Irish to the core."
"Oh no," said Shatner, shaking his head, "Just an idiot. A really, retarded idiot."
"Come on, I'll show you to the WWBC," said Kevin.
"Hold on, I need to get my circus," said Shatner, tapping Leo and Pandora on the backs of their heads, and pulling Charles down from the table before he could stand erect to dance as well. Iawn was flirting with two Welsh girls and flexing his non-existent muscles for them before Shatner walked passed and grabbed one of his bent arms and dragged him along after him.
Then Shatner got to Nate, and he waited next to the table, watching the wobbling, dancing fool sing and lead a chorus of Welsh people in this strange party tune. He didn't have to wait long, before Nate slipped on a bowl of mash and fell backwards, into the arms of Shatner, who caught him quickly in surprise. Shatner shook his head and Nate, who smiled goofily.
"You done, Captain Flint?" said Shatner.
"I… really don't drink," said Nate, beginning to slur his words, "Really, I don't."
"Yeah, no crap, come on, you are surprisingly heavy!" said Shatner, who propped Nate up with one arm and they began to walk out of the hall, "We're going to the network, we need to find some help of ANY kind."
"Good, just a moment," said Nate, who leaned over a trashcan, stuck his finger in his mouth, and vomited heavily and for some time.
The others wrinkled their noses and stood back, only Iawn chuckling a little bit at the scene. When Nate was done, he grabbed a cup and filled it with water and looked back at Shatner.
"Less Alcohol that get's processed the better," Nate slurred, "Let's Go, Possum… Wossum… Toss 'em! Ah-HA!"
"Good lord, you're becoming as annoying as the Iawn kid," said Shatner, who again supported Nate as Kevin lead the way to the WWBC.
Kevin led them to a building which was converted into a library of sorts. Books were everywhere, as well as several office-like rooms where people cataloged and kept track of whatever they could, trying to savor memories of times of BEFORE. In the middle, were several stations with computers, definitely connected to the net. Kevin showed them, and then sighed to himself.
"Here's our terminals," said Kevin, "We can log on and help you out in any way you can."
"Thanks Kevin," said Shatner, "Look, we need to be logged in separately, we need them to think everything's alright. I don't want to worry anyone, ok?"
"From the group? Sure, I can keep a secret," said Kevin, "I'll log on with you guys, help you out in any way I can, so it might appear normal, you know."
"Sounds great," said Shatner, "You sign is as well, you feeling better?"
Shatner patted Nate's chest, and Nate nodded his head, "Oh yeah, I'm fine. But I'm going to let you do the most of the talking. It's better that way."
"Good, now we're learning," said Shatner, a sly smile on his face.
"What's that supposed to mean, you," said Nate, sitting down at a terminal.
"Nothing, it's just I'm glad we're realizing that maybe I should be in charge of the meeting of new people."
"Ha!" said Nate, getting slightly offended, "Well at least last time I talked we got help!"
"Talked? You shot at them with a fricken' TANK!"
"It was a TANK Shatner," retorted Nate, "If I didn't get to shoot one I'd NEVER let myself forget the SHAME."
"And they were no help at all," continued Shatner, "They are just three more tag-alongs that use up food and annoy the HELL out of me."
"Hmph," retorted Nate, logging onto the network and looking over the forum stuff, "Good lord, how long have I been away from being online? Look at all I've missed, I got a lot of work to do."
"Then do it," said Shatner, "But at least join the chat invite."
A small window appeared on Nate's screen that read; Shatnerpossum invited you to a private chat. Nate hit accept, and in a separate window a small chatlog box appeared, with names of other users appearing on the side. Slowly, users poured in. Shatnerpossum, Comedianmasta, fkeuitan, zurom, 89fred, eonmokri, lovecraft, and jeff appeared on the room. Nate thumbs-upped Shatner from across the way, and Kevin and Shatner shook their heads at each other.
"Ok, just act normal, ok?" said Shatner, "I'm going to PM Lovecraft and 89fred. They're both from the California Colony. Maybe they can help us. Otherwise I'm trying to see what we got for French colonies that could give us a hand."
"Ha… French," said Nate, shaking his head, "The one thing I hate more then the Brits."
"Hey," said Kevin, getting offended.
"Not you, Kevin," said Nate.
"I'm a 'Brit'," said Kevin.
"Nuh-huh," replied Nate, "You're Welsh, yeah?"
"Yes, but it's apart of Great Britain," said Kevin, "So we're 'Brits'."
"No, it still doesn't count because," started Nate, but he stopped himself and laughed, "Oh, it doesn't matter. You're all apart of the 'United Kingdom' anyway, so you're all English-Run."
"Hey," said Kevin again, even more upset, and several other Welsh settlers glared in Nate's direction as well.
"Hey," said Eonmokri to Nate in a PM, "What happened to you and Shatner? Some people from your colony said it was another attack. Are you ok?"
"Uh, yeah," typed back Nate, "It was pretty bad, but we fought them back. Poor Pandora, though, he was wounded in battle, I saved him."
"Oh, it was you?" said Eonmokri, "Shatner said he saved Pandora."
Nate leaned over and gave Shatner a glare before returning to the PM, "Uh… yeah, that was it. Sorry, my head was spinning from Flashbacks from my own little personal hell."
Jeff joined their Private Conversation and said his hellos.
"Yeah, I'm so sorry to hear about that, mate," he typed, "Raiders are a big problem everywhere. But thankfully Australia is still holding up alright."
"Yeah, sounds good," said Nate.
"So, were you or Shatner hurt?" asked Eonmokri.
Shatner entered the Private Conversation as well, and Nate waved, forgetting he had no web cam.
"What are we talking about?" asked Shatner.
"The attack, if either of you were seriously hurt or anything," said Eonmokri again.
"Oh, no, we're fine," said Shatner, and then another PM window appeared and Shatner told Nate, "We're good; 89fred and lovecraft think that they can help us. Their colony is more advanced then us, they have a plane. They believe they can make it into Europe in no time. I hope they are right."
"Same here," said Nate, "Same here."
"No cam or microphone today?" asked Australia, "You at Shatner's post, rioght?"
"Uh… yeah, I just don't look so good," said Nate.
"Cam's down for maintenance," replied Shatner.
"Oh," said Eonmokri.
89fred and lovecraft joined Shatner and Nate's PM, and greetings were exchanged.
"So, on a crazy mission to nowhere, huh?" asked 89fred, "I think we can help you out. We got some real good guys down here itchin' for a good time. We're willing to have a little adventure. We can help you and get you home."
"Get us home?" typed Nate, getting agitated, "No, no, we're not quitting. We need to get to Africa, we need to find some hope. We can't give up."
"Hold your horses, now," said 89fred, "'Give Up' was not what I was thinking."
"It wasn't?" asked Shatner.
"I am mighty interested in what you're talking about," typed 89fred, "And if I know the Cap'm, then I know he's up to a little adventure, even if it is a longshot in the dark of a rainstorm. We're headin' to a safe place in North Africa and we're gonna find us some people!"
"Sounds good," said Nate, giving a half hearted smile in real life.
"You know," continued Eonmokri on the other PM, "They say travel is increasing, that the land is becoming easier to traverse."
"Do they now?" said Nate, in reply.
"No, it's impossible," answered Shatner, who leaned voer and glared at the real Nate a seat or so down, "The land is too dangerous, who knows what's out there. Radiation and ruins and Raiders and whatever else!"
"Oh, don't be such a baby," typed Nate back, smiling, "I betcha we could do it. Travel the world, see what's left. ;)"
Nate smiled, and winked in real life. Shatenr was already glaring at him, but the comment seemed to enrage him a little more.
"I'd do it," said Eonmokri, "I'd travel, anything to get out of this ol' place. Learning English, you guys, and my animals are all that keep me sane anymore."
"As much as anyone could be sane," answered Jeff, "I don't trust our world anymore. The government's trying to get Oz back from raiders and wild and whatever but I think we're safe here, inside the bunkers and inside the protected territory. We're not overpopulated."
"Thanks for the REASON, Jeff," answered Shatner.
"Alright, then it's good," said Nate to 89fred and lovecraft in the other PM, "Where do we meet in France?"
"France? Hmm… I don't know yet. We'll let Zurom know, Shatner mentioned about contact with him, right?"
"Right," answered Shatner.
"Alright, this meeting is adjourned. See you in France," said Nate, and he closed out of that PM.
"Well, who knows," said Eonmokri, "But I'm glad you're alright. You guys aren't on like you used to be. Please be on more."
"Yeah, you need to update those damn stories of yours, mate," said Jeff, "It's been forever!"
"Ah, yes," answered Nate, "Sorry, busy and all that, will update!"
"Dang, Nate, another alarm. Let's go, might be a fire," typed Shatner, and he gave Nate the "Time to go" look in real life. Nate nodded and returned to the conversation.
"Another alarm? What is it?" asked Eonmokri.
"Another call," said Nate, "See you guys later!"
Nate then closed out of the PM and began talking to everyone as a whole.
"I'm so glad we could have this meeting. Thanks, everybody. Be on again more often!"
"What conversation?" said Kevin, both in the chat and he leaned over and whispered it to Nate.
"Oh, so soon?" asked Eonmokri.
"Yeah, because… that conversation was just a Bonza," typed Jeff in pure sarcasm.
"Alright, talk to you guess later," said Shatner, and he signed off, Nate following suit.
Kevin signed off as well, and he stood there shrugging, "What just happened?"
"We got us some help," said Shatner, "But now we need a way to France."
"Yeah, I'm sorry about my dad and all," answered Kevin, "I'd like to help ya, I really would."
"Then help us," said Nate, "What can you do to help us? Can you sneak us onto a boat or something like that?"
"What? Oh, no, no, no," answered Kevin, "I couldn't do anything like that."
"Come on," said Shatner, "We're heroes, we saved your village."
Kevin shook his head for a moment, then he swore under his breath and put his face in his hands. Nate and Shatner both high-fived behind him then returned to serious pleading faces.
"Ok, ok, alright," said Kevin, "I can sneak us onto Dad's boat and take you across over-night. We should be in France before morning. I'll take whatever beating awaits me when I return in the morning IF I am caught, alright?"
"Yes," said Nate, "You are the BEST my man!"
"Alright," said Shatner, rubbing his hands together eagerly, "Stealing a boat. That sounds about like the best, retarded plan I have ever liked."
"If we're good enough, we can leave the four parasites behind," said Nate.
"No," said Shatner, now getting a serious face, "We're not that evil. They're all coming too."