Survival: After It Happened Book 1 by Devon C Ford Read Free Book Online Page A

Penny was clearly used to public speaking, even if she did have a tendency to address the group as though they were children in her school. He was half expecting a flip chart to be produced at any moment.
    “Our long term survival depends on our ability to seek out more survivors and create a society that can be sustained in the future without the modern comforts we are all accustomed to” Leah and Kev had already lost track of the speech entirely, but seemed glued to Penny’s words anyway, waiting to hear their names. Penny glanced at Dan, who got a sense that she was asking his permission to proceed. He gave a subtle nod as he bent his head to his black coffee, encouraging her to press on.
    “Our priority is to find others like us, but the problem in doing so is that we may quickly overrun ourselves with mouths to feed, so to speak. To that end, and in anticipation of further additions, I have tasked everyone as follows:”
    Nobody argued, not that they had a choice as Penny went on with her tasking.
    “James and Kevin. You two are now our chief recovery agents. You are to empty your vehicle and collect the supplies marked by Daniel on his map. I have prioritised these, and listed them for you. I am assured that you know how to use the new equipment to enter these premises?” She referred to the circular cutting saw recovered yesterday.
    “No problem” said Jimmy “me and Kev will have it all back here ready for tea” he added with a smile.
    “Wonderful” said Penny “Neil, with your expertise, might I suggest that you be named our head of engineering? Your impressive display with the petrol solution and previous experience make you the ideal candidate.” She carried on, without waiting for agreement or assent, which Dan could tell annoyed Neil. Not because he had any objection but because he knew him well enough already to recognise when he was going to quote a film in a perfect mimic of the actor.
    “I’d like you to take Andrew with you today, and collect another caravan from the place you found. With instruction, he should be able to bring it back here in preparation. Another vehicle for him would be in order too. After that, if you could return and continue your search of the industrial area as discussed”
    Neil nodded, raising his coffee in salute.
    “Andrew, after collecting a vehicle and caravan with Neil and being shown how to arrange it properly, I would be grateful if you would continue to recover and load supplies from the supermarket into our lorry here” she said, indicating Neil’s truck.
    Andrew agreed. Dan thought he didn’t seem the type of person to disagree much.
    “Daniel” Penny moved on, fixing him with a look. A look that almost pleaded for support, like only he and she knew how very important to was to establish a hierarchy this early and to have an unchallenged leadership.
    “If you could kindly continue your search of the area, mark buildings that you wish James and Kevin to empty for the group, and focus your attention towards finding us a permanent site?”
    Dan paused. He was genuinely happy that Penny was taking the lead, as he simply didn’t have the patience with people to do this kind of thing every day, but he didn’t think it wise to fold immediately to instruction and be seen as just one of the pawns of the group. He needed to retain or establish a kind of leadership role to the others; the better for making decisions that they would need to listen to if push came to shove. He didn’t want to ride roughshod over Penny’s newly accepted social leadership, so this needed to be worded carefully.
    “Good plan Penny, but Jimmy and Kev have enough locally to be getting on with. I need to make a trip to gather some sensitive supplies which are key to our future. I may be away overnight.” He left it there, with a heavy hint of something secret.
    “I’ll resume my scouting locally after this unless there are any objections?” Nobody had any.
    “Very well. I shall