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  The Last Layover

  The New Homefront, Volume 1

  By Steven C. Bird

  The Last Layover: The New Homefront, Volume 1

  Copyright 2014 by Steven C. Bird

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, copied, or shared without expressed consent and prior authorization from the author.

  Written and published by Steven C. Bird at Homefront Books

  Edited by Sara Jones at www.torchbeareredits.com

  Illustrated by Keri Knutson at www.alchemybookcovers.com

  Kindle Edition (Rev 1.18.15a)

  ISBN: 978-1-4951-0686-6

  http://www.homefrontbooks.com

  http://www.facebook.com/homefrontbooks

  [email protected]

  Table of Contents

  Disclaimer

  Dedication

  Introduction

  CHAPTER 1: The Alliance

  CHAPTER 2: Flight 4225

  CHAPTER 3: The Layover

  CHAPTER 4: Back on the Homefront

  CHAPTER 5: The Journey Begins

  CHAPTER 6: The Jones Home

  CHAPTER 7: The Journey Continues

  CHAPTER 8: Intrusions

  CHAPTER 9: Reinforcements

  CHAPTER 10: A Time for Action

  CHAPTER 11: By the Sea

  CHAPTER 12: Friendship through Fate

  CHAPTER 13: Charity

  CHAPTER 14: Faith and Friendship

  CHAPTER 15: By the Air

  CHAPTER 16: The Reunion

  CHAPTER 17: By the Land

  CHAPTER 18: Not So Quiet On the Homefront

  CHAPTER 19: Newport

  CHAPTER 20: War on the Homefront

  A Note from the Author

  Disclaimer

  The characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real events or persons, past or present, living or dead, is purely coincidental and are not intended by the author. Although this book is based on real places and some real events, it is a work of fiction for entertainment purposes only. None of the activities in this book are intended to replace legal activities and your own good judgment.

  Some items in this book have been changed from their actual likenesses to avoid any accidental sharing of Sensitive Security Information (SSI). The replacement values serve the same narrative purpose without exposing any potential SSI.

  Dedication

  To my loving wife and children:

  Monica, Seth, Olivia, and Sophia

  You inspire me to be a better man. It is my constant desire to protect you and provide for you that drives my imagination in ways that allowed me to create this story to share with others. Every day that I wake up, I hope that I can use that day to somehow improve myself, so that I can be a better husband and father. Hopefully, this book, a result of the inspiration that you have given me, will help me do just that. I love you all.

  Introduction

  The winds of change had been sweeping through America for some time now. Certain political factions, controlling the mainstream media, had been working towards their goal of redefining the nation into their own image of government-centered collectivism. Through the media, public schools, and a near fascist use of political correctness, they had been changing the opinions of the uninformed public and the way they see traditional American values.

  A constant assault on the religious faith, while pandering to Islam as well as chipping away at America's pride in its history, work ethic, and rugged individualism, had the left country divided. To those who paid attention, this division seemed hopeless to repair. Add to that, out-of-control government spending and political leaders that seem intent on collapsing America's economy with burdensome social programs and business-killing regulation, and it’s understandable why so many constitutional and libertarian-minded Americans had become uneasy about the future.

  Survivalists and doomsday preppers that were once on the fringe, had now been joined by a low-key wave of mainstream conservative and libertarian Americans. Cable TV shows depicting prepping, as well as myriad websites and both fiction and non-fiction books had proliferated, feeding this hunger for answers in an insecure world.

  Americans from all walks of life had begun preparing for the uncertainty ahead. One of the more prevalent fears was the almost certain coming collapse of the house of cards on which the nation’s economic security was based. Whether this fragile situation had been brought on intentionally to be able to rebuild America into a new form after the collapse, or unintentionally by inept politicians that sold their oath of office to any special interest group that would bankroll their careers, one thing was sure; it just could not go on like this forever.

  Evan Baird, a captain with a large regional airline, closely followed the events that unfolded in America as a result of the Progressive agenda. Evan retired from the Navy Reserve at the age of forty. Soon after, he and his wife, Molly, purchased their dream home, an older brick farmhouse on one hundred acres in the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. They began turning their little piece of Tennessee heaven into a hobby farm; this became their passion in life. They had longed for a peaceful country lifestyle to raise their family for quite some time, which would also help them to be able to provide for themselves in the event the country began to unravel.

  Chapter 1: The Alliance

  As like-minded individuals seem to coalesce around one another, Evan and a coworker, Jason Jones, became good friends and allies. Jason was a pilot with Evan's company. Like Evan, he was based in Columbus, Ohio, at the Port of Columbus International Airport. Evan was a captain and Jason a first officer aboard their company’s Embraer 170, 175, and 190 family of aircraft. As coworkers in two different, but closely-knit positions, the men were afforded ample opportunities to fly together as a crew.

  Jason was an Army Infantry veteran in his late thirties with a wife and two young sons. He had the unique ability to be hardcore, direct, to the point, and humorous all at the same time. Jason and Evan shared the same constitutional libertarian ideology, loyalties, fears and concerns. They also shared the same desire to protect their families above all else, making them a natural alliance. They discussed ideas and strategies and even trained together when able, keeping each other on track mentally and physically.

  Although Jason and Evan were diligent in their preparations and training, one major roadblock existed that they did not know how to adequately mitigate. Their job as domestic airline pilots kept them away from home on average, two weeks or more per month. Traveling by air limited their abilities to take along bug out bags, as most people who traveled to work by car or truck could. A pilot typically carried only three bags for an overnight trip. One was a flight case, which was a rectangular case, usually made of leather or heavy nylon. The flight case was used to carry charts and manuals that were legally required for flight operations, as well as a few items such as a flashlight, batteries, and an aviation headset. There were not many options for utilizing this bag any further, as it was already packed to its capacity with the required items. Their main suitcase was a carry-on sized roll-aboard containing clothes and hygiene items. The third bag was a cooler-type lunch bag. Both Evan and Jason had one additional item in this bag: a Sig Sauer P229, chambered for the .40 Smith & Wesson cartridge.

  After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, congress authorized the establishment of the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO) program. The FFDO program was implemented as part of the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Air Marshal Service, allowing trained pilots to carry firearms. Being defensive-minded individuals and prior military, both Evan and Jason attended the training at their own expense in their off time and became deputized as FFDO's.

  This program was a
huge benefit for Evan and Jason; it allowed them to feel as if they continued to serve their fellow Americans after leaving the military. It also gave them an advantage if they were away from home working if—or when—a SHTF (Shit Hits the Fan) event occurred. This was the only way a traveling pilot could take a weapon on the road. The TSA security screening at every airport would prevent them from even having nail clippers, much less a firearm.

  For traveling crewmembers, regularly swapping planes and being reassigned to different flights, checking a bag was simply not an option. In parts of the country where the second amendment was severely restricted, like Chicago and New York, the federal status of the FFDO program trumped state and local law. This allowed them to always have their duty weapons in their possession at their hotels during their overnight layovers. Each of them also carried an extra box of fifty rounds of duty ammo along with their official duty load out of their issued magazines. They knew the loaded magazines alone, though more than adequate for the intended purpose of the program, would not get them very far if things took an ugly turn after some sort of event.

  Jason lived just a little more than an hour away from Columbus, in Zanesville, Ohio. Evan, however, had to commute to work by flying out of the Tri-Cities airport in Bristol, TN or the McGhee Tyson airport in Knoxville. Once at work, their schedules often consisted of mostly four-day trips that kept them on the road, figuratively speaking, on an overnight layover in company-provided hotels in a different city each night.

  As of late, the country had been in an almost daily decline. The current administration had been pushing more and more expensive social programs on the country, in what appeared to be an attempt to intentionally break the back of the economy through debt and taxes. In what had become a quarterly debate on raising the already staggering national debt ceiling, the president immediately cut off food stamps and other government entitlement programs. He blamed the opposing party, tea party, and other constitutional or libertarian-minded groups, due to their resistance to the increasing debt. This divided the country even further, causing small riots and acts of violence all across the country. It was a nation at a tipping point and seemed that, any day, the country would plunge into a state of emergency. All it needed was the right nudge.

  Feeling the inevitable, Evan and Jason started bidding for trips at work together. When they got schedules with other crews, they did whatever they could to swap and trade around with other pilots in an effort to line their trips up as best as possible. Knowing that their family’s security plans depended on the two of them making it back, they were determined to strengthen the odds by working together as much as possible.

  They both started packing their roll-aboard luggage accordingly, as well. It was October, and cooler weather had begun to prevail in many parts of the country that they frequented. They had discussed the best way to pack for work and to bug out at the same time. Their uniforms, which were made like business suits with the associated dress shoes, would not be of much use to them in a survival situation. Since they had limited space to pack, they decided that casual looking hiking boots would fit the bill for footwear. They could be worn with regular clothes and not look out of place. Also, in the event of having to stomp sod for any extended period of time trekking home, they would be a Godsend for their comfort and protective qualities.

  Casual-looking, tactical cargo pants, a few short sleeve shirts, some long sleeve shirts, and a zip-up fleece jacket with a removable outer shell, would round out their functional clothing requirements. Choosing all natural, earthy colors like tans, greens, and browns would allow them to blend in with the natural environment if need be, while also serving as daily wear. In addition, they each bought a cheap, thin backpack, such as one a high school kid would use; those were flattened and packed empty into their roll-aboard suitcase. This would serve as a bug-out bag in the event one was required, as dragging a wheeled suitcase around would not be practical in a survival scenario.

  Each of them also packed tortillas, flat packets of tuna, chicken, and some instant coffee singles. These items took up very little space in their roll-aboard, but would give them a couple days’ worth of emergency food. They also carried iodine tablets, a water filter survival straw, ibuprofen, a stainless camping mug, antibacterial ointment, an assortment of bandages, and a cigarette lighter. They felt these basic items would get them going in the right direction. Additional supplies could be acquired along the way if need be.

  The most important preparation they felt they needed to make was to be able to establish communications with their families. If a catastrophic event occurred and they still had cellular service, land lines, and internet connectivity, then keeping in contact with both homes would be easy. However, considering the state of the union and similar events elsewhere in recent history, one would have to assume that the government may use the opportunity to declare martial law. In such a case, communications could be taken off-line or strictly controlled and monitored “for the safety of the people.” Control of information is always one of the first steps all dictatorial governments or regimes take when making their final push for control. However, even in the absence of nefarious domestic or foreign government intentions, those technological communication mediums that we now rely so heavily on would not exist at all with the failure or destruction of all or part of the country's fragile power grid resulting from a natural or man-made disaster.

  To address their communication contingency strategy, Evan and Jason decided to utilize contacts they had acquired through work and like-minded preparedness organizations. Both the Baird and Jones households had HAM radio stations, and all of the adult family members were trained in their basic operation. Evan and Jason used their human contact network to develop a series of friendly and trusted HAM operators located near their likely layover points and potential routes of travel. These contacts would be included in their route plan in order to coordinate with the Baird and Jones households until they made it safely home.

  Both families understood that if an event occurred while Evan and Jason were away, to listen on a prearranged frequency “on the nines,” at nine in the morning and then again at nine at night. Once initial contact had been made, this frequency could be adjusted to fit the given conditions.

  Chapter 2: Flight 4225

  It was the end of October. Evan and Jason were starting a four-day trip together the next morning. Evan had to commute to Columbus the night before as the trip had an early report time. He called Jason on his way to Knoxville to catch a flight. When Jason answered the phone, Evan asked, “Got your gear packed?” This was a question he already knew the answer to since Jason was a bit more on the “all business” side than himself.

  Jason just responded sharply, “You know it! I'm ready for the zombies.”

  “Screw the zombies; they would be harmless compared to the city rats.”

  “Very true, so why don't you just spend the night here? We've got room.”

  “Thanks, but I've already got a hotel room booked,” Evan replied. “Besides, you need your family time. We can catch up during the trip. Just pick me up at the hotel tomorrow morning on your way.”

  “Roger that, Boss. Are you staying at that dump again?”

  “Yep, the Skyway Lodge. Yes, it's a dump, but it's cheap. That leaves me more money for beans, bullets, and Band-Aids. Besides, I was in the Navy, so I have low standards for my accommodations,” Evan answered.

  They shared a laugh, said their goodbyes, and went on with their respective evening plans. Evan spent the night at the hotel in Columbus. After tucking his kids in bed over the phone, he told his wife he loved her. She was getting increasingly nervous about his travel, given the state of things. No matter where she looked, every television channel, newspaper, and internet news source contained reminders of how the fabric of society was unraveling. The only difference was who they blamed. He felt the same; he just didn't let it show. If given a choice, he would have gladly changed careers so he could remain close
r to home. Unfortunately, with a record unemployment rate and the seemingly daily occurrence of local businesses shutting down—or relocating out of the country—there were simply no opportunities to be had. This was the hand that he had been dealt, so he had to play it.

  Early the next morning, Jason picked Evan up right on time, as always, and they headed for the airport, stopping briefly at a Dunkin Doughnuts drive-through window. Evan often referred to coffee as his life support system. Flying long hours on an ever-changing schedule with commuting thrown into the mix will wear one down over time.

  Once they reached the airport, they met up with their two flight attendants, Glen Brooks and Peggy Marshal. Glen had been with the company for several years and was a fun, entertaining guy to have along. He lived in Boston, and like Evan, commuted to Columbus for work. Always cracking jokes with a twisted and unabashed sense of humor, he kept things lively.

  Peggy was a new hire, just out of initial training. At twenty six years old, she was eager to start a new life for herself after a painful divorce. She was a single mother with a five year old son named Zack. Her parents were comfortably retired and lived just across the river from Cincinnati in Newport, Kentucky. They graciously volunteered to watch her son while she was away for work. They knew she needed this change in her life, so they were willing to accommodate her in any way they could. This was only her second real trip flying the line after her completion of training. She felt a mixture of nervousness and excitement about her next four days on the road. Since she lived in Cincinnati, she drove to Columbus early that morning and arrived ready and raring to go. Evan and Jason enjoyed working with new hires as they usually had a positive attitude. They found this refreshing since the airline industry tended to leave people bitter and jaded, given enough time.