The Blue Ridge Resistance Read Online Free

may consider themselves to be living by their own terms. This, of course, will all be in the name of peace, stability, and the safety of the general public, as we’ve seen time and time again throughout history.”
    Evan raised his hand, spoke up, and said, “We have noticed that some of the HAM operators we used to get regular updates from have been off the air. If the administration is starting to tighten its grip, that would explain their silence.”
    “Good point,” Daryl replied. “We’ve noticed the same thing.”
    “Those HAM operators have either figured out they had better lie low, or they’ve been silenced. Either way, something is up,” added Jason.
    Everyone spoke amongst themselves for a few moments and then Daryl continued, “In addition to that news, now that spring has arrived, there seems to be a renewed wave of human migration taking place. People who survived the winter hunkered down, are now on the move again in search of food and shelter. Most of the packaged foods will have been consumed or have gone bad by now; this leaves fresh foods, such as what we all raise and grow, as the only available resources. I fear that people, who will naturally head for the more rural areas like ours to avoid the horrors of the cities, will be looking at our resources and wanting them. We’ve had several sightings of groups of anywhere between five to ten people making their way through this area.”
    Jason interrupted. “That explains the tracks we saw back on the main road near the Homefront.”
    Daryl nodded and replied, “Most of the groups that have been observed passed through during the night. I guess even the average person is starting to think tactically.”
    “That, or those who don’t, have been thinned from the herd by now,” said Charlie Blanchard.
    There were a few under-the-breath chuckles and comments from within the group as Daryl got back on point saying, “Either way, we think the lull of the winter may be over. This house, as well as the Muncie place, is ripe for the picking by squatters and vagrants. We only check on them from time to time, and even if you don’t consider the threat of outsiders taking up residence here, they are deteriorating quickly from neglect and will be lost to the community if we don’t do something.”
    “What do you propose?” Evan asked.
    Daryl replied, “Well, we wanted to discuss it before we mentioned it to Jason and Griff, and we have already come to a unanimous consensus. We would like Jason and his family to take one of the homes, and Griff and his family to take the other. We would have more eyes on the area that way, and we would be ensuring who our neighbors are going to be, instead of having to deal with squatters. Besides, with all they have already done for the rest of us, they more than deserve to be permanent residents with their own homesteads.”
    Evan looked at Jason, who seemed a bit taken back by the gesture, and said, “We would sure miss you at the Homefront, but he’s right. That and your family deserves a place of their very own. I think it’s a great idea.”
    “Wow, I don’t know what to say,” replied Jason, who was caught off guard by the offer.
    Daryl then said, “Just go back home and think it over, talk to Griff, and if you guys decide to take us up on the idea, you two work out who will be where and just let us know. We will all pitch in to help you make all of the repairs and cleanup necessary to get you moved in.”
    After a few more minutes of chatter and general discussion, the official side of the meeting began to draw to a close. The residents all shared stories of their recent projects and endeavors. They always learned a lot from each other, as the homesteading lifestyle without outside goods and services was still relatively new to most of them. Ever since Ollie’s tragic death had united them as more than just trading partners, they gained wisdom and support from one another’s failures and