c. 2026 Rod Ice
All rights reserved
(5-26)
The first night of rest at Grafton Depot was a peaceful experience for the three travelers who had come from Evergreen Estates. Judson Baines and Serge Tarka shared bunk beds in an upstairs room with a scenic view across the hillside. Kelly Strafe slept with granddaughters of the proprietor, on a trundle bed with handmade quilts for comfort. They were all immersed in the primitive, yet gentle culture of Mountaineer folk, without any questions over future plans or pledged loyalties. This simple act of hospitality displayed how the hidden enclave had managed to thrive and develop, despite being located far from any other populated area. In the morning, everyone was treated to a breakfast bounty of sausage gravy over biscuits, bacon and eggs, and hot, chicory coffee. Then, members of the commune left to perform necessary chores that supported the group as a whole. Some tended to gardens in the sloped fields, while others engaged in barn raisings and other light construction projects. Children assembled at a one-room schoolhouse, for primary education. Washing laundry, cleaning and fixing things, and preparing the next culinary feast all took place as a matter of routine. No one needed to give directions to maintain this flow of local citizens, as everyone had a place in the continuum, and held it proudly.
Baines was most interested in the radio transmissions he had picked up while at their previous spot. But when he queried Bodean Pringle III about this interesting utility, it did not seem to register as being important.
“I reckoned y’all might ask about that contraption. And honestly, I don’t figure that it’s more than a curiosity ta our neighbors and friends. But Ezekiel Traffe found a transmitter device while scoutin’ around this region, it was up in a tower room at the old station in Morgantown. That feller likes ta tinker, which is a passion fer some folks here. His take on that habit is a little bit fancier than some, though. A bit more sophisticated, ta use a big word. He’s built a little generator that’ll burn coal, corn liquor, bacon grease, or cow chips, whatever y’all have on hand. That did okay fer a beginnin’ but now he’s made a river paddle that rotates and spins up electricity without usin’ any other precious resources. So maybe that’s the best of all, because we like ta be prudent with our materials. Some of the people livin’ in our village have crystal sets, they’ll pick up signals without any kind of power needed. Others have found parts and pieces that Zeke put back together, ta make receivers they can share. Some run on leftover batteries, or home-built, energy rigs that’ll spark enough output for somethin’ small. We get ‘em huddled around those sets sometimes, just ta listen. Mostly, it’s so we all stay connected, ‘cause there are some farmers livin’ out on the edge of this territory. More ‘n a stone’s throw from my general store. It’s a long hike ta get here, even if yer spry and good at runnin’ over these old hills!”
The university professor was excited about learning details that related to their rural way of life. In a sense, it made him feel like an anthropologist, at work.
“That’s what really attracted my attention, Mr. Bodean. Your social order is a multi-level strata of new and old technologies, all put together in a mashup of need and ability...”
The hillbilly entrepreneur stared blankly for a moment, then burst into raucous laughter.
“Boy, what the heck did y’all just say? Are ya tryin’ ta talk like a high mucky-muck? That sounded like a mess of beans ta me! Or like what comes out of a horse’s rear end!”
Baines flushed with embarrassment. He had not intended to be condescending.
“Sir, I apologize. What I meant was, in plain speak, you handle your business smartly...”
Pringle grinned widely, exposing tobacco stains on his yellowed teeth.
“Alrighty then, however y’all say it, we do what we gotta do here. We’re humble folks, we give thanks ta the Almighty every day fer what we have. We live in harmony with nature. We let the sky rule and the soil grow. That’s what’s kept us goin’ through harsh winters and dry summers and such. Mostly, through the dang storms that still plague this land. I believe it’s a curse sent fer punishin’ those who went before us, those who made things fall apart a hundred years ago or more. They were rebuked by Holy God fer sins against his creation!”
The classroom scholar raised his eyebrows.
“You know about the uprising? And the mass exodus that stripped this world of its population?”
The business master turned serious in mood. His face went pale and taut.
“Well now, we’ve got tales that were handed down, from one generation ta the next. Y’all might say they are whispers from another time, that keep comin’ back. They tickle our ears when we’re in the right frame of mind ta hear, understand? There’s no point in dwellin’ on it now, our charge is to survive and seek the love of our creator. The sun shines on good ‘n evil both, I believe. But I’ll do my best to be one o’ the good, if I can.”
Baines nodded with understanding.
“That’s a sensible philosophy, I must say. Anything more would be pointless...”
As they were standing in front of the depot emporium, a flicker of reflected light crossed the horizon. Another wave of Seagull bots had arrived from Calimex, on the west coast. Their arc over the mountainous terrain indicated that a search for clues was in progress. Having reached the abandoned park of mobile homes near Lake Erie, they were redirected to locating the Digger shuttle. Traces of C-drive emissions must have allowed them to track the course of their prey, with generalized accuracy. But now, they were lost amid the wilderness environment.
Pringle noted an expression of discomfort on the visage of his guest, after witnessing this unexpected appearance. He gestured with comity, and careful concern.
“Don’t worry yerself friend, we don’t care if y’all are with us fer a day, a week, a month, or longer. Our table is set by grace, there’s always room fer another one of the Father’s children. If ya come in peace, then we’ll share that gift, and be glad! Amen!”
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