Outnumbered (Book 6) by Robert Schobernd Read Free Book Online

half of us attend the exercise classes held three days a week. You have consciously chosen to be weak and let your health deteriorate.
    "Alcohol and tobacco were banned since the group's inception because of the health and emotional hazards that come with them. Recently, your officers chose to weaken the ban by allowing wine to be made. In the future the ban will be tested again and again until beer, whiskey and tobacco are allowed. Before the zombies attacked, the risk of alcohol addiction and cancer being caused by tobacco was well documented. Think back to that before you vote to weaken your rules again.
    "As for the people who are leaving, we believe danger could still exist. Hopefully, the zombies are gone, but I am not so vain as to believe we are the sole humans in this world. In my mind, it's probable there are still dangerous groups of people. They haven't come into contact with us yet, but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I fully understand your craving for peace. I want that, too. There's a saying that originated more than two hundred years ago. It's been modified many times by many people to become 'Trust, but Verify.' I trust that people we meet in the future will be honest, non-violent and trust worthy, but I'll withhold judgment of them until I verify their intentions. The one thing I will never do is give up the right and the means to protect and defend my family.
    "In the morning, I'll present a complete list to John of what items we'll take with us. Five years ago the group that is leaving took part in reclaiming the garden acreage for planting, built two barns and livestock pens, and roofed and rehabbed cabins. Since we won't be here to continue sharing in the benefits of that work, we'll take more than half of the livestock and some tools and material items as our just share."
    Moderate grumbling rose from several pacifists until John spoke. "Give me the list and the committee will review it. If we don't agree, we'll work with you for a solution."
    I addressed the group, "Leave the chairs, please. I'd like all the folks who are leaving with my family to stay and discuss the initial impact of our move."
    In minutes, most of the extremists stood and left. John, Martin Sr. and Morgan stood by a far stall to listen. Seventeen adults and some of the children sat in front of me.
    "If after considering the full scope of this move we're undertaking any of you change your mind, I'll not think less of you."
    There were several grins while others shook their heads. Evidently, they had thought of the pitfalls, accepted them and were committed.
    "Tomorrow I'd like to start our search for a new home. Richard and Paige, are you available to be gone for three or four weeks? We'll pack clothes, food and other supplies for a month. I'll bring plenty of ammo for our weapons. As soon as it's light enough inside the barn to move the horses outside, we'll saddle up and leave. Those of you who are staying behind, please keep an eye on the armory and don't let anything happen to it. I have the only key to the locks and Kira knows where it's kept.
    "Mitch, Suzie, Vince and Byron, please take the diesel pickup and a twenty-foot enclosed trailer to Fort Leonard Wood and load any remaining field rations, both Meals Ready to Eat and First Strike Rations. While you're there, sort through the military clothing and boots. They've already been thoroughly picked over by us and other groups over the past fifteen years, but salvage what's left. Take the time to explore any areas we might have overlooked for goods we can use. This will likely be our last trip there. There's no rush to head out, so do it at your discretion, but take everything we can use at the new site.
    "Vince, we'll use all three rubber-tired wagons for the move. Will you please inspect them and insure they're ready for several trips of about fifty miles each way. Look at the hydraulic brakes you and Albert rigged up especially hard. We'll be loaded and using four horse