Not answering right away, Dennis pointed out in the field at the kids and Jasmine riding around. "Are you willing to risk their safety?"

"I don't know where you've been. Their safety is already at risk. I just want more info to be better prepared," Nathan said.

"Fair enough," Dennis said. "First, how did you find out about t.i.tan?"

"Got several e-mails before the crash, some were internal government memos. One said Operation Dark t.i.tian was set to run," Nathan answered.

"I pray they don't know you received those memos. There was a hack into the NSA storage facility two days before the flare. The contents were thrown up on the web, and I know for a fact the hackers are dead. It doesn't matter that they were in Canada. I don't know how far they got in tracing the info that leaked or if they can still trace it but I do know they are looking for anyone with that information. Two independent alternative news sites' entire staffs were killed in apparent robberies'," Dennis told him.

"It sounds to me like they knew the CME was coming," Nathan observed.

"It does, doesn't it?" Dennis told him smiling.

"That's impossible. We don't have the understanding of the sun or the computing power to run simulations if we did," Nathan said.

"There you're wrong. The NSA has more computing power than you can imagine. They had a probable window of four days for the flare and it fell on the first. They have had some monkey wrenches thrown in but for the most part they are rather happy," Dennis said with a pained face. "Operation Dark t.i.tan was launched over a year ago."

"Do you know who they' are?" Nathan asked "Money men, the alphabet agencies, but only those at the very top and I don't think it was just those here. Most every senior member of the U.N. was brought in," Dennis said.

Nathan sighed. "I know it doesn't matter but why?"

"Money. We were broke. The government gets capital and we need new stuff. Now they can take what they want without word really getting out," Dennis said.

Feeling utterly helpless, Nathan just wanted to lie down and die. This was way over him. "How will the military play in this?"

Impressed, Dennis chuckled. "That's the game changer. If they take the control slowly then it will be a few years before a revolt. If they take control fast, it will just happen sooner. From what I've read, less than forty percent of military forces will become hostile to Americans."

"Well, that's a relief," Nathan said.

"It is until you realize that as of today there are a quarter of a million U.N. troops on U.S. soil and a hundred thousand of our troops are shipped out to their countries," Dennis said.

"We suppress them and their troops suppress us," Nathan said.

"Yep," Dennis said nodding.

"When will the gun confiscation start?" Nathan asked.

Dennis shook his head. "It started ten hours after the flare. The ATF may not have kept a national registry but Homeland did with the NSA's help. Then they sent the good ole ATF to do what they always wanted, take the guns."

"What are you going to do in all this?" Nathan asked.

"I took an oath to a piece of paper and the United States of America. That's why I'm bringing my wife here," Dennis said.

Nathan fought the urge to look around for an attack. "How long do I have to get home?"

"You were too late when the flare hit," Dennis said sadly.

"I mean before the military starts fighting?" Nathan asked.

"There are already. Oath Keepers are attacking now. I would say three, four months tops before full-scale military battles take place," Dennis said.

"I can do that," Nathan said, feeling a tad better.

"Can your camp be seen from the air?" Dennis asked.

"One little shack, the rest are built into the hillside. We didn't do that to hide from big brother, it was purely an insulation issue. Not being seen easily is an added bonus," Nathan explained.

"I wish you would stay, we could use you here," Dennis admitted.

"I gave my word," Nathan said.

"Then I must say it has been an honor to meet you," Dennis said. "What are you going to do when you get home?"

Nathan smiled. "Be a big pain in the a.s.s."

Dennis laughed. "I would lay my money on you ripping the a.s.s off."

"Thank you, I owe you now," Nathan said, holding out his hand.

Dennis shook his head. "Let's just consider us even."

"You will be with your brothers tonight right?" Nathan asked.

Dennis nodded. "Yeah they told me you needed to talk to all of us so I'll be there after supper." Nathan watched Dennis walk back to the house then headed for the barn to start getting gear ready.

After supper the three brothers followed Nathan to the barn and he led them to the small room he had stored the supplies in. Nathan lit three lanterns, filling the room with light. "You trying to blind the old men?" Rodger asked.

"You are blind," Bob said.

"This coming from the man who misses the first deer every year," Rodger snapped.

"I have to let some live," Bob said sincerely.

"Nathan, what did you want to talk to us about?" Dennis asked, knowing those two would keep going for hours.

"What I'm about to show and give you, I want two promises. The first is, if something happens and the kids have to return here, you give them a place to live. Next, you can't tell anyone about this until I'm gone. I would really advise not telling anyone," Nathan said, standing between two piles on the floor.

"I hope you know we would take care of them without the oath," Rodger said, his brothers nodding.

"Call it peace of mind," Nathan said.

"Well you have it," Rodger said.

Nathan opened on of the boxes and grabbed two rolls of double eagles. He opened the containers and poured them on the table in the center of the room. The three men moved over looking at the gold pieces. "Now you see why I wouldn't tell many. If you don't think the person can keep their mouth shut I'd advise not telling them," Nathan said as each one picked up a one-ounce coin.

Dennis looked at his brothers. "We tell no one unless the other two agree."

"I have to tell my wife," Rodger said to Dennis.

"s.h.i.t, Mindy and your wife keep secrets better than either of you," Dennis told them.

"What about your wife?" Bob asked.

"I'm not telling her, no need," Dennis replied. "Nathan how much are you giving us?"

"That pile there," Nathan said, pointing at the big pile. He opened a suitcase. Inside were bank-banded stacks of money. The three looked at the money then at the stack of boxes and suitcases. Then they looked at the smaller stack. "That one's mine," Nathan told them.

"Ours is bigger?" Bob asked.

"I'm taking what I can carry," Nathan replied.

"How much is in our pile?" Rodger asked.

"I have no idea. I would say over five hundred pounds of gold and about that in silver. Never even bothered to count the cash," Nathan said.

Dennis pointed at the other suitcases. "Those are cash too?"

Nathan picked one up and opened it, showing the jewelry. "Nope."

"We're rich," Bob said, looking at the money.

"Bob, don't start," Dennis barked. "You could've hid this and come back for it," Dennis said to Nathan.

"Why? It's more than I need. I'm taking some for those kids. When this ends I want them to have some shot at a future," Nathan replied. "May I offer a suggestion?"

"Partner, you can do whatever the h.e.l.l you want," Bob said.

"Let Rodger use some of this to pay the deputies. Bob, you give them food. This way they see the help they are getting is coming from citizens and not the government. Rodger, keep tabs on what you spend so you can recoup it when this ends," Nathan said.

"Who else knows about this?" Dennis asked.

"Jasmine, but she doesn't know how much," Nathan said.

"Howard doesn't know?" Dennis asked.

Nathan shook his head. "Didn't see why he would need to."

Dennis let out a sigh. "Thank G.o.d, that boy can't keep a secret to save his life, and this could cost it."

Bob grabbed Rodger's arm. "Did you hear that? Dennis said Howard wasn't the best at something. It has to be a miracle."

Narrowing his eyes, Dennis glared at Bob. "Never said my boy was perfect, his faults are only few. He likes sharing with others."

"See you spoke to soon," Rodger said, snickering.

"It's not my fault my boy is the best of the batch," Dennis said, picking up a stack of bills thumbing through them.

Bob threw the coins he was holding down on the table. "When did you sleep with Mindy?" he demanded.

"Never, Howard is just my clone," Dennis said, smiling. Nathan laughed and was joined by the others.

"You guys are great!" Nathan declared. The brothers one by one hugged him. One part of Nathan's mind thought they wanted to crush him and keep all the gold.

As Nathan gasped for air, Dennis slapped his back. "I hope you make it home. Get ready for the storm." He held out an envelope. "It demands safe pa.s.sage for you. I don't think it will work, and if it does, not for long."

"d.a.m.n, I wish I would've thought of that," Nathan said, taking the envelope.

"Howard did," Dennis said looking up at Bob. "When are you heading out?"

"Two or three days. I want to kids to get comfortable on the horses and using their weapons," Nathan said swearing one of them broke one of his ribs.

Chapter 19.

Day 26 Nathan stood at the front of the house with his group in the late afternoon. The horses were saddled and pack animals loaded. Everyone had come out to tell them goodbye. They had spent the last three days getting ready and Nathan did feel better about their chances but wished they would've stayed.

When he had asked it almost became a screaming match, well it did for Amanda and Casey. Finally calming everyone down, Nathan told them they didn't have to stay and the discussion promptly dropped.

The group could at least shoot now, which made him feel good. But hitting paper targets that don't shoot back is one thing. Since they had limited ammunition for the sniper rifle, only he and John had trained with it. Then Casey and Jasmine got in a fight after Nathan worked with them, teaching them pistols. Casey wore a pistol the next day. Jasmine said ten was too young to be carrying an M-4, much less a Glock pistol.

In the end, Nathan sided with Casey. As long as she showed that she was responsible, he'd be d.a.m.ned if she couldn't protect herself.

Nathan watched as the kids mounted their horses. Emma would be swapped out riding with others but Nathan had a feeling she would be with him most of the time. Every time he turned around she was there. That alone could make him crazy, but then Amanda and Casey stayed close. Nathan would never tell them he had secretly dreamed of sneaking off.

Looking at the eight hoses and two mules, Nathan thought of the old pioneering days. "Everyone mount up!" Nathan yelled.

The group climbed onto their horses. Nathan had decided since they did so well traveling at night they would continue it, at least until they got to less populated areas. "Thank you," Bob said, shaking Nathan's hand. He had already crushed him in a hug. "We'll be waiting for you broadcast saying you made it."

"You guys stay safe. When this is over, let's get drunk," Nathan offered.

"That sounds like a plan, partner," Bob said, patting Nathan's leg.

Nathan gave Smoke a gentle kick and she started off down the driveway. When they reached the road, Nathan looked back to check everyone's placement, with him in the front and John at the back no further than twenty yards behind. Those in the middle took turns leading the pack animals.

Everyone loved their horses but loved the donkeys also and soon learned that the things were smart. Ares and Athena didn't care for them but the donkeys couldn't have cared less about the dogs. Turning around Nathan scanned the road ahead.

His M-4 was across his chest and he had mounted one of the thermal scopes on it. The other went on the BA 110 sniper rifle. Everyone, except Emma, had on NVGs. When they reached the small blacktop, Nathan led them onto the shoulder so the horses' hooves stayed in the dirt. This not only protected them but they couldn't be heard a long way off.

With no clouds and a bright moon they really didn't need their NVGs but Nathan still checked every so often. Leading the group west, he stayed off any main road and several times cut through fields and trees. At midnight he stopped them at a small stream so the horses could drink again and they could grab a quick bite to eat.

Very irritated, Jasmine carried a much awake Emma. "She's riding with you!" Jasmine commanded.

"You do know I'm leading this group and I'm likely to be the first one shot," Nathan snapped.