CHAPTER 4 - The Education of Jake
George makes a crucial decision regarding Jake's schooling.
Mark Bethea
CHAPTER 10 - A Freak of Nature
Using his military experience, Ernie’s simulations started with him assuming the role of the attackers. He meticulously planned his attacks to take full advantage of what he perceived to be Fort Porter’s most obvious weaknesses. Then he would figure out ways that a small force inside Fort Porter would deal with the attack. When Izzy was 9 and Jake 12, Ernie and the whole family spent several hours every Sunday evening playing the simulations as a game.
CHAPTER 12 - "What About The Children?"
“What’s going to happen to the kids?” Peter asked.
“The kids?” George was no longer smiling.
“Yeah. You’ve painted a really grim picture that totally makes sense. But with all of these people dying and marauders running rampant, what happens to little children? Kids?”
George stood up, scratching his head. “Good question.” He looked right into Peter’s eyes. “What do YOU think will happen to the kids?”
“I don’t know. I guess they’ll all die alongside their parents?”
CHAPTER 15 - Countdown
Things were pretty much the same for most of Jake’s first year at college. Izzy made the rounds, cared for her horses and continued to amaze both George and Ernie. George obsessively amassed supplies and provisions at auctions, closeout sales and through his contacts. And Ernie oversaw the operations at the ranch. George counted the days, reviewed his research and waited. They all waited. Meanwhile, outside the walls of the ranch, life went on.