Kara opened the map and found that the location was circled. The cache was located in a quarry outside of the town of West Plains, Missouri. The trip was 811 miles from Greensboro and would likely take them to their last gallon unless they found supplies.
“What say everyone?” Mark asked. “Do we take the cache for ourselves?” Everyone voted in the affirmative. From that point forward the family and the slave they were supposed to deliver would be fugitives of Mechacorp and would be hunted until the day they all died.
Conveniently Greensboro had a branch of interstate, I-40, that would take them very close to their ultimate destination. Mark asked Kara if she had planned it this way as the trip would have been a lot longer if they discovered the coordinates further south. She laughed and just announced “I’m good, what can I say?” Mark patted her thigh and said “Yes you are” seductively and she slapped his hand playfully. Joey groaned in the back seat but quickly shut up when Cindy placed her hand on his thigh.
Mark and Kara discussed the fact that they would no longer have any data on cities they visited since they would be off the company’s intended path. Playing it by ear in this harsh environment was a recipe for disaster so Mark suggested they take it slow and try to find friendlies wherever they could to get information. While people did not move to and from cities with the regularity of the past there were still large amounts of nomadic people who could not stay put in one area for long. Kara agreed but also reminded him that their timeline needed to be somewhat the same as their arrival date in Atlanta. If the cache included weaponry they would probably need it when the company came
knocking.
At over 100mph average the Armadillo hit Statesville NC in just under an hour after passing through Greensboro. The family quickly learned that the city was fairly friendly though not particularly open to strangers. They didn’t mind bartering for goods though.
West Statesville was right in line with I-40 and most of the population of the area lived there. It had returned to its roots and became a distillation, tobacco, and herb farm city. The inhabitants built themselves a fair sized earthen wall and used Semi-trailers as gates to allow passage into their city. From the interstate the passers-through were allowed access to their trade markets and not much else.
The family stopped in to see what kind of goods they could acquire. The market was set up like a flea market of old with bunches of open air booths with various goods available. Some people just used their booth to get rid of old crap they had laying around the house; others sold crops or alcohol they distilled for a living. Every family in the town had a booth but not everyone opened every day.
The girls went clothes shopping and Mark and Joey told them to have fun and be back in an hour. They were not going to get involved in that mess. Mark gave Kara some gold dust and a few silver coins left over from their mission packets, it would give her some buying power so they could get some nice clothes to replace the drab company issue survival garb.
Mark and Joey set out looking for goods that they knew others would want and could trade in the future for other goods. They had a handful of items from the car that were not needed and could be traded along with a little more of the money stash from the packet.
The first thing they looked for were medicinal herbs, the sign for the market claimed the area was renowned for its herbs. Natural medicine was a great thing to have available on the road because actual pharmaceutical drugs were very hard to come by out in the wild. “Dad, over here” Joey waved for Mark. “They’ve got all sorts of herbs” Joey said proudly and gestured with his arm as if he was presenting them.
Mark and Joey stared at the variety of herbs for a while before the owner realized that they didn’t really have a clue what they were looking at. Eventually she came over and asked what they were trying to do with their herbs. Mark answered “I am looking for an herbal first aid kit.” The girl smiled and started gathering herbs from the different containers. “How many you have?” she asked. Mark assumed she meant people so he
answered “four”. She grabbed a couple handfuls of each herb, bagged them and scribbled their names on the bags. She laid each one out and gave them a quick rundown of their uses. “This one is Chicory; put it on a sore muscle to reduce inflammation. This one is Dead Nettle; it helps stop bleeding and heals wounds. This is Greater Celandine; great for infections. This here is Meadowsweet, it’s like an herbal aspirin but it won’t mess up your stomach. Lastly, but not least, we have Skullcap; it is a wonder-herb that cures pain, anxiety, relieves stress, headaches, is an anti-inflammatory and an astringent.” Mark shook his head; he knew he wouldn’t be able to remember all that so he asked if she could write a basic use on each bag. She said no, she couldn’t write anything but their names but if he knew how to write she would tell him again.
When they were all done Mark asked what the price would be. “Let me see what you got” she told him. He laid out his stash and she took some MRE desserts and 5 rounds of .45 ACP. Mark felt that was a fair deal and they moved on down the line to pick up some vices for future barter.
When all was said and done Mark and Joey scored enough tobacco to roll at least 2 cartons of cigarettes and 6 1-liter jugs of moonshine to sell or barter later. Mark stashed a 7
th
bottle of moonshine for him and Kara to enjoy one day. Little did he know, Joey did the same for Cindy and himself.
The girls showed up back at the car wearing new clothes and carrying a couple bags. They both looked amazing but still dressed for action. Kara had a nice pair of khaki slacks, a gun belt and a purple button-up blouse with a black tank-top underneath. Cindy wore grey slacks with a nice flare, a gun belt with shotgun shell holders, a corset like undershirt and a button-up black blouse. Both had also found a little bit of jewellery which Mark enjoyed since it made them both that much more feminine and attractive.
As they were about to head out Mark realized he had forgotten one thing. Everyone piled back out of the car and followed him back into the market. He knew exactly where he wanted to go to ask his questions, he had made a mental note to do so earlier but it had slipped his mind when he made the decision to get a bottle of booze to enjoy with his wife. The thought of getting drunk and enjoying each other got in the way of the mission.
Frederick Watterson was a map maker by trade. He did it the old fashion way, well the semi-old fashioned way; he drew them by hand but used maps already produced plus his own knowledge of the areas in question. He created maps from the Mississippi river over to the Atlantic Ocean and all the way down to Florida. Mark noticed his booth and his beautiful maps while he and Joey were
looking for the tobacco to purchase.
Mark returned to the booth and struck up a conversation with Frederick. “You can call me Freddy” he told Mark while he firmly grasped his hand and shook it vigorously. “What can I do
ya fer?” he asked with a semi-toothy grin. Mark told him their route and asked if he could help them out with what to expect.
Freddy laughed, “
Whatcha payin’ wit son, knowledge ain’t free ya know? Whyda think we pay them damn teachers, to bang our kids?” Mark laughed at the blunt humor and produced a gold coin. Freddy examined the coin and slipped it into his overall’s pocket. He leaned in close to Mark as if to not share the information with anyone who might be close enough to listen. He was certainly stingy with his knowledge.
“Asheville is
fulla freaks. Fuhhhreaks I tell ya. But dem freaks got some goods so if you can deal with freaks go fer it. The mountains are a mess and will getya a black eye in a hurry; I’d suggest haulin’ ass in through there but step on the damn brakes before Knoxville! That there is the home of the New Confederate Army. Don’t be all yankee in there or yer shure ta get an ass-whoopin’ supreme.” Mark jotted down notes so Kara could help with the navigation around some of these places that seemed like total messes.
“Nashville...
sheee it son, You’re gonna have to see that for yoself. I’d just not see it if I was you. Just run up I-24. That’s the way to go, you don’t wanna go to Memphis. Memphis is levelled. Nuked to kingdom come. Even the damn rats left that place. You’re in the clear once you leave Nashville.” Freddy crossed his arms and nodded as if Mark’s gold had run out. Mark was happy, he had some loose information on what to expect for most of their journey.
Mark thanked Freddy again and shook his hand one more time. The family stopped by a BBQ stand and had lunch since it was getting to be about that time. They enjoyed eating outside of the car and without worries and did it any time they could. The local food was delicious, feral pig with locally grown okra fried up perfectly, cornbread made from local corn and some home-made BBQ sauce spiced with herbs from the local herbalists. It was delicious and everyone ate entirely too much but nobody complained because it was such a rare treat.
Asheville was about 100 miles from Statesville
. Mark expected they could make the trip in anywhere from an hour and a half to two hours depending on any roadblocks they ran into. Everyone in the car except Mark seemed to take turns taking naps as they succumbed to the food coma they had eaten themselves into. Kara did her damnedest to stay awake but Mark caught her with her head against the window, a small trail of drool running out of her mouth. He thought about cutting the wheel sharply to startle her but decided to let her get some rest, besides it all looked clear ahead.
The same could not be said for behind. Out of nowhere a 2010 Dodge Charger slid sideways on the road and began pursuit. Mark was holding steady at 90 since it seemed to give him a good return on fuel economy and speed but soon realized he would need to push it a little bit to keep this guy away from him.
Mark dropped the hammer and the car came to life. The motors whined into action while the turbo did the same. The race engine kicked all the way up to nearly 12,000 RPM and the exhaust sounded like a pissed off bee-hive. The Armadillo began to pull on the muscle car a little bit.
The sudden intense drone woke all the sleeping passengers up and they practically asked “What?” in unison as if Mark was messing with them. Mark pointed to the rear view and they all turned around and said “oh” in chorus again. “Shall we man the turret dad?” Joey asked. Mark said he wanted to wait to see what the jokers wanted before using brute force and told Joey to stand by. Joey agreed and readied the M4. Cindy pumped a slug into her shotgun as well.
The intentions of their pursuer were known just a few seconds later. The Charger’s sunroof slid open and a man in a hood popped up with lever gun. He popped off a round at the car’s rear window and everyone instinctively ducked as it glanced off. “Hey dad, I don’t think they are bringing us flowers” Joey said and followed it up with “Just what the hell is that get-up he’s in?” Kara turned around for a better look and shook her head. “The KKK” she answered. “We are being chased by the KKK.” Mark laughed and asked “Is it because the car is black?”
Joey and Cindy popped the turret hatch as another round whizzed over the car. Bubba didn’t seem to be too good a shot. Joey popped up and fired a quick three round burst and put 3 holes in the shape of a triangle in the Charger’s front glass. The passenger window splattered with blood so he
must’ve gotten someone in the car. The burst really seemed to anger Bubba and he fired three as fast as he could, all of them ineffective. He was empty now and had to drop back into the car to reload.
Cindy took her turn and popped off a steel slug at the car’s grille. The round easily penetrated the radiator and wedged itself somewhere in the engine block. Steam poured out from the hole like a factory lunch whistle and sm
oke poured from the oil exiting the engine and onto the exhaust manifold. Joey gave her a high-five and she gave him a kiss. It was their first and in the excitement the moment didn’t strike either of them as being extraordinary. Kara did though and tapped Mark, pointed back and made kissy faces. Mark rolled his eyes and kept his eyes on the car behind them.
The Charger started falling back when it was clear that their engine was a goner. Just as soon as it fell back another one took its place, entering in the same fashion as the first one. Mark saw the original car burst into flames as the new one started to accelerate in their direction.
Mark was maintaining 135mph during the chase and squeezed the throttle a little bit more, the battery power was done and the motors were back to their normal, lower power level. They were on all engine now and sucking gas at an obscene rate. This had to end quick or they would have to become residents in Asheville.
The new Charger seemed to have a bit more pep than the last one and got up on their passenger quarter panel. It slammed into the
Prius trying to knock them off the road but Mark counter-steered into it to minimize the push. Cindy opened her gun port and let a shot fly. The slug penetrated just in front of the driver’s door and again the family saw blood splatter in the car. The Charger braked, swerved and slowed down before regaining control.
“Enough of this shit, give ‘
em the 307, AP round” Mark barked. He was fed up with using all his gas trying to avoid a bunch of hillbilly assholes. Joey engaged the 307’s turret, flipped it 180 and scoped the Charger. He placed the laser in the dead center of the hood and pressed the button. The range finder read 45’ and was flashing. They were too close. “Dad, punch it for a second, we need some distance” Joey yelled. Mark complied and the car gapped the Charger quickly. When the laser read 95’ Joey punched the trigger and sent an armor piercing 1” grenade at their foe.
The car instantly exploded and flipped up end to end. It rolled several times before coming to a halt on the side of the road, a smoking heap where a car stood just a second before. Joey calmly retracted the turret and shut the roof. The threat appeared to be neutralized for the time
being.
Mark slowed to 60mph for the remainder of the trip to try to make up for the gas they had burned during the chase. It didn’t work like that of course but he felt better if he thought he was conserving gas. The trip computer said they were good for 650mi and they had over 700 to go. They were going to need some fuel sometime in the near future or they would be walking.
The interstate sign said Asheville was only 12 miles away. Someone had changed the sign to say Asseville. Mark chuckled and remembered that Freddy told him that the city was full of freaks. Kara informed him they could stay on 40 and pretty much avoid the city.
Or not. 2 miles before the junction for 240 there was a series of signs ordering
travelers to slow to 30mph. There were then a series of barriers set up as chicanes that forced them to slow even more. Finally, about a mile before the exit, there was a series of signs.
Kara read the signs as they passed “
Asseville is a nudist town” she said with an eyebrow raised. “Hats, gun belts, and boots ONLY” she said next. “Enter nude or die” the third sign said. There was then a small rest area that said “DeclothingStation
-
” Mark pulled in. Kara glared at him. “We are not” she started but Mark interrupted “dying today Kara.” She threw down the map and shook her head then proceeded to exit the car to go to the changing station.
Everyone came out a few minutes later and just shook their heads at each other. Well, everyone except Joey and Cindy, they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. Kara slapped Joey’s bare ass and told him to get a room. He palmed his face and shook his head as he walked off.
The family got back in the car and proceeded to the checkpoint. Mark was the first to talk since they got moving again “At least the Armadillo doesn’t have leather seats” he joked. Apparently nobody else found it funny but Joey did groan.
The checkpoint featured one of the most ridiculous sights Mark had ever seen. A naked man with patent leather boots, an AR slung over his shoulder and a police hat on his head. He stood with his hand out gesturing halt. “Who needs a rifle with a gun like that?” Kara asked while nudging Mark. Mark narrowed his eyes and glared at her jokingly. “Just wait, I’m sure there are lady cops” he replied. Kara rolled her eyes and prepared for the horrible puns.
The Armadillo rolled to a stop and the man approached the window and tapped on it. “Step out for inspection” he ordered. The family complied and presented themselves in the most sarcastic fashion they could. The guard nodded and another lifted the gate. As they all got back in he approached Mark. “You can take 240 into town, you will likely find just about anything you need there. It is a friendly place. You also have the choice of taking I-40. I-40 is not a friendly place. We have walled all of our prisoners in on that corridor. Have you seen Death Race 2000?” Mark nodded in the affirmative and the guard continued “That shit was weak compared to I-40.” Mark got the picture; they wanted people to spend money in their town so they would. The guard indicated they were free to go. Mark couldn’t resist but to ask the burning question. “Why is the city nude?” he asked. The guard laughed “Fucking hippies man” he replied. “That’s it?” Mark smiled while shaking his head in disbelief. “Yup” the guard answered.
Mark got back in the car and said “Fucking hippies.” Kara wrinkled her nose at him. “That’s why we’re nude” he informed her. She laughed heartily and when she finally recovered she said “Yup, fucking hippies indeed, but
ya know, all this running around and starving on the road and I gotta say, I’m looking damn good” she said while she ran her hand from neck to her waist. “Stop that” Mark said and ran his hand in the same place. Joey told them to get a room and everyone laughed.
The family rolled into town and were directed to a parking facility. There were no powered vehicles allowed in the city so all transportation had to be parked immediately upon entry. The parking deck had tight security so Mark wasn’t too concerned about it. The family put their pistols in their holsters and slung their long-guns on their backs as they disembarked from the car. Joey said he wanted to buy a hat, he felt naked without one and they all chuckled at the joke.
They hit the market and Mark split up from the rest of the family and their hat shopping to try to acquire some gasoline. After getting the run-around from several people he was finally pointed in the direction of a run-down garage at the corner of a bustling neighborhood. The garage had several beat up Volkswagen buses parked out front in various states of disrepair. Mark wasn’t feeling too confident about the possibilities until he noticed the tank sitting on the side of the building. It was painted up in hippie camouflage but he knew a gas tank when he saw one.
Mark approached the first person he saw working in the building. He had a grey ponytail and was wearing a welding hood and apron but nothing else. He appeared to be fabricating an exhaust so Mark waited until he stopped welding to speak. “Hey man” he said and the old hippie jumped. “Shit man, you just appeared out of nowhere!” he
said as he flipped the hood up and turned to Mark. “Can I help you man?” he asked.
“I need some gasoline” Mark told him. The hippie laughed, “Everyone needs gasoline man, but you know what, nobody considers my needs. I have needs too
man” he whined. “What are your needs?” Mark asked. The man’s blood-shot eyes widened. “Really man?” he asked in disbelief. “Sure why not” Mark explained. “What can I do for you to fill up my tank today?” The hippie thought for a second and answered “A trip to the moooon maaaan” he said with stars in his eyes. “Jesus Christ” Mark snarled. “Can we get realistic?”
“
Woah maan, no need to get all mad on me” the man explained “I was just joking. I need a carburetor for this bus over here and a fuel pump for that one. There’s a dude just out of town that has a yard but he’s an asshole redneck and he won’t even let me look around, calls me a weirdo and a freak.” The hippie hung his head and looked at the concrete. “I’m not a freak” he said quietly.
Great, Mark thought, a hippie with a self-esteem issue. Mark tapped the hippie on the shoulder to get his attention and told him “I’ll go get your parts man; I’ll be back before dinner.” The man lit up with joy. “Great man! Just great, I will be right here waiting.” The man started to dance around
and Mark turned away when the flopping got out of control.
Mark found the rest of the family shopping just like he had left them. Joey had not found the perfect hat yet but Kara and Cindy found matching berets that looked stunning on them. Mark told Joey to come with him and he whined about finding a hat still. “I’ll come” Cindy offered instead. Mark looked at Kara and Joey and they both cocked their heads and said “Why not?” so Mark and Cindy went off to the junk yard together.
Outside of town they put their clothes back on immediately. Mark reasoned that the man was probably not treated kindly due to his lack of dress more than anything else. Mark asked Cindy how she felt about Joey. She blushed a bit but told Mark she was really starting to like him. She then sheepishly asked “Are you ok with that?” He looked at her with genuine confusion and answered “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Cindy explained “With my past and all I thought maybe you thought I wasn’t good enough for your boy.” Mark reached over and put his hand on her shoulder to try to reassure her. “You can’t pick your past, hell nowadays most of us can’t pick our present. But you are, and we are. We are together in this; we are already family in my eyes.” She smiled and a single tear rolled down her cheek. “Thank you” she whispered.
The junkyard had a chain link fence with razor wire rolled into it surrounding the entire yard. A sign reading “Stay out:” and then a whole laundry list of racial slurs was posted on the gate. Mark looked at Cindy and asked “Are you any of those?” to which she shook her head no. “Well then I guess we should pay this asshole a visit.” He said. Mark honked the horn and a man wearing nothing but overalls and a straw hat cracked the gate and peeked out. He was carrying a double barrel shotgun and had it pointed at Mark. “Come on out so I can see ya” he seethed. Mark stepped out of the car with his hands up and Cindy did the same. “Ho....leee.....shit” the guy said with a long, heavy drawl. “White folk!” he cheered. “White folk with gosh durn clothes!” he did a little dance and then got a serious look. “None of them weirdos sent ya did they?” Mark shook his head no and the man opened the gate fully to allow them in.
Mark parked the Armadillo and the man was waiting for them. “
Whatcha need?” he asked. Mark knew to not jump right into the Volkswagen stuff or the man would likely become unhinged. He started to tell a story about the projects he had going on. He lied about a Mustang that he needed a starter for. It was his personal car he said. The guy replied “I bet it’s a pussy wagon” and Mark just grinned and put his arm around Cindy. “Got me this one” he joked and the man just smiled.