Gray Panthers: Dixie Read Free

be calling that heap home,” Sam said as she pulled the transport up closer to the shack. The grass was up to Scotty’s hip when he jumped out. Drawing his automatic and chambering a round, he looked behind him to see that Sam had her shotgun out and ready. Stepping up onto the porch, Scotty tried to look into a window. There was a loud creak just before he busted through the rotting wooden porch.
    “That sure wasn’t very stealthy of me, was it?” he snorted as he tried to balance himself, breaking more floorboards in the process. Finally rolling into the grass, he said, “Well, this is a bit of a fixer-upper, though, ain’t it!” Dusting himself off as he stood, he watched as Sam carefully stepped up to the front door and opened it.
    “That’s the way that’s done, honey––” The words had barely left her lips when she was knocked onto the grass by a family of hogs bolting through the doorway.
    “Yes, ma’am. You certainly showed me,” Scotty teased as he held out his hand to her. Together they entered the shack. The dust-covered floor was scattered with animal prints and spoor. The back wall of the shack had collapsed, and weeds were snaking into the back area. After retracing their steps to explore outside, they found a barn that was entirely overgrown with weeds. As they advanced into the barn, it was apparent that they were the first in a long time to visit.
    “Well, it’s dry, and we’re the only ones here,” Scotty said. “There’s room for us and the transport. Let’s pull it in now, before it’s discovered out there.” Together, they were able to muscle open the barn door and Sam drove the transport in. Scotty used a rake to un-flatten the weeds where the transport's wheels had crushed them.
    “So what do you think this place was?” Scotty asked as he unloaded the transport.
    “Most likely it belonged to one of the early settlers. The first few years there was a plague that killed many. We found out later that some folks were just allergic to something growing here. Usually, out of respect, we left their homes alone, especially if they lived on the fringe. I think if we look around more in the daylight tomorrow, we’ll find more buildings,” Sam said sadly.
    “Let’s check the news, see if any of it is good,” Scotty said, turning on his wrist computer.
    “We repeat, the invaders from the Libra Alliance have breached the capital, and all citizens have fallen back to the shelters. Military units have been able to contain the invaders at the entrance of the shelters. If you are outside the city, do not approach. Estimates of the enemy numbers range from ten thousand to fifty thousand, and we have been told they are using Jacka mercenaries. So far, New Richmond is the only city that has been attacked. Residents in smaller cities are advised to use their community shelters or evacuate to the countryside. The enemy has gone out of its way to avoid civilian casualties, and reported casualties have been few. Dixie Command has let us know they have some options on the table, but we can’t say anything more at this time. We will report again at the top of the hour. We return to our regular show.”
    “Do you think there will be any type of counterattack to relieve the city? Do you have any way to get in touch with the military?” Scotty asked. “I don’t like the thought of being on the sidelines.”
    “Sorry, sweetie, I’m a flyer, not a ground pounder. I’m not aware of any contingency plans for other districts. There are a dozen major cities with armories. They may try something, but none of them are easy to get to from here,” Sam replied as she climbed into her hammock.
     

Gray Panthers headquarters, Arizona
    25 October 2128
    Dan looked at his old friend Abby, his comrade from the Iran War and partner in building the Gray Panthers. Both men were going over the casualty reports from the Libra Alliance’s attack on Earth.
    “Damn it!” Dan swore softly. “It’s only a