Page 21 of Stalker
Stalker set a moderate pace as they headed into Sector Six. He’d divided the city into ten sectors from previous reconnaissance spaced far enough to suggest they should be rebuilt as separate towns. He’d submitted his recommendations to the Enclave when he requested a hundred cyborgs to assist him.
“I chose Sector Six because it has a small population. That doesn’t mean that no one will shoot at us, so we wear the full helmet and faceplate.”
It was a five-minute walk from where they had stashed the sky cycle to the area where Stalker had scanned some people among the ruins. He and Neely walked slowly, looking around for movement.
Then Stalker’s internal scanner alerted him to people behind him. He stopped, shrugged his rifle strap off his shoulder, turned, and aimed it toward six males pointing an assortment of guns at them.
“Who are you, and what do you want?” said a tall, dark-haired bearded man.
“I am Federation Ranger Stalker Knight. The war is over. We have returned to Earth to help restore civilization.” He lowered his rifle as he spoke. Neely remained facing the opposite direction to watch his back, pistol drawn.
Sure enough, four more males with guns stepped out of the ruins behind them.
“Central government has been restored in New Chicago, under the Civil Restoration Enclave of North America. I am the law enforcer in charge of this territory.”
“What if we don’t want no law enforcer telling us what to do?” said the leader.
“Does that also mean you don’t want the goods and services the Enclave will provide?” Stalker asked, pointing his rifle at the ground.
“Like what?”
“Food, medicine, demolition of the ruined buildings and new homes for families. Restored communications and utilities to your homes. Does your group have a leader or council?
Chapter Twelve
“I am the leader of the Remonta Territory,” the dark bearded man said. “I am Jax James.”
“If we can all put away our weapons, I can give you some more details about what the Enclave can do for you and what they require in return.”
“I knew it couldn’t be that easy,” Jax snorted. “But, yeah. We’ll hear what you have to say.” That was the signal for his men to put away their weapons or lower them if they didn’t have holsters.
Stalker shouldered his rifle, and Neely holstered her pistol.
“I think you’ll find that most of their requirements are reasonable and self-explanatory,” said Stalker as he retracted his helmet and asked Neely to retract hers. “How many of you have families?”
“Most of us do, but it’s not easy keeping them fed and safe from the other gangs,” said Jax.
“We can definitely help with that. We’ll set up a supply drop with food and supplies within your community. Then we will send in techs with protectors to work out a plan for demolition and constructing homes with amenities such as electricity and indoor plumbing.
“They will assist you in setting up a government for your town and help you become self-sufficient by growing your own food and developing small industry to make things to sell and trade with other towns.”
“That all sounds great. What’s the catch?” Jax demanded.
“The Enclave forbids human trafficking, slavery, stealing, murder, and protection schemes to name a few. The com-tablet I will give you can access all that information. It responds to voice commands and will read the information aloud if you can’t read it yourself. Do any of your people know how to read?”
“Some,” Jax said.
“As your community is rebuilt and communications restored, learning centers can be established. These programs have already been established successfully in the East,” Stalker continued, taking out a foldable com-tablet. “Right now, we are passing these out to the leaders in each town. As these communities rebuild, Enclave representatives will pass them out to each family.”
“Is your Enclave going to do something about the other gangs that raid us and take our women and supplies?”
“That’s exactly why I am here… To contact the leaders and assess how many protectors we need to break up those gangs,” Stalker replied. “I’ll show you how to work the tablet, then you can show me where you want your supplies dropped, and I will get the coordinates from the tablet.”
Stalker showed Jax how to turn on the tablet. “Your two main contacts will be Enclave Community Outreach and Law Enforcement. Say your name, please.”
“Jax James.”
“Now, it will respond to your voice. If you want to add users, you just say it, and the tablet will ask the person to speak their name. You can also ask it how to do things or find out more information about the Enclave programs and the laws that govern their territories.”
