Chapter 3

[Protection – Robby on the Road]

All four of us were nervous, as were the horses. We had made very good time and I called a halt a bit earlier than I might but we could see a fine house with a good barn. We pulled in the drive and were met by a man with a rifle at the door. He looked more worried than belligerent. He said, "Have you seen the lions?"

Pam answered, "Yes, sir. They were around us last night. My name is Pam. With me are my spouses, Melissa, Robby, and Charles. We were going to stop here for the night. Can you tell us where a house and barn are located where we might safely stay the night?"

He replied, "Let's talk a bit, Pam. Perhaps we can work something out. I'm Darryl and my wife, Cindy, and children, James and Doris, are with me. Where are you folks from and why are you here?"

Pam continued, "We are from a new community near Henderson, Tennessee, named Protection. We were sent here after our preacher, Abe, had a vision that people to our northwest needed some help. Abe didn't know what the problem might be. Our elected leader, Doctor George Andrews, asked if we would go and help or determine what was needed and report back.

"It looks like you have need of a lion tamer." She grinned up at Darryl.

He grinned back and set his rifle down. "Why don't you tie your horses and come sit a spell on the porch?" He looked back into the house and shouted, "Cindy, it's okay."

He picked a chair on the porch and sat down. We dismounted and joined him. Charles sat with his arm around Pam and Melissa sat on my lap. Darryl said, "What did you mean spouses, Pam?"

Charles said, "We're all married to each other. Protection allows plural marriage. We're the first quadruple and, while most are regular couples, there are some triples. It just worked out that we realized we loved each other and Abe and George went along with the situation. It isn't for everyone but it works for us."

I spoke up. "We have been followed by a pack of lions for a few days. They get close at night but distance themselves from us during the day. There has been little game, also. What's the situation with all that?"

Cindy came out followed by two children aged around ten or twelve. She said, "It's terrible. The lions appeared about six months ago. They've wiped out the game and most of the farm animals. We still have a few cattle and horses but have to watch them when they go out to pasture. If you go into the woods, the lions will get you. They're smart and we've only been able to kill a few. Our best shooter was killed by them a month ago."

I said, "Perhaps, that was why Abe wanted us here. I am a good shooter and my three spouses are close to me in ability. If nothing is done, the lions may become a threat to Protection. I think now's the time to deal with them. Darryl, how many people live in the area?"

"I think there are six or eight families left. A couple of families were wiped out by the lions and five or six moved away. The ones left watch out for the lions and each other. We have hunted in the past but never tried to hunt hunters. Deer don't eat you."

I chuckled, "Unfortunately, I have hunted men in the past as well as have been hunted. It's not fun and takes some getting used to. I've noticed that they close in at night and back off during the day."

Cindy said, "They will try things at night. They know we have guns and will go after them in daylight. No one has ever been able to track them at night. We're afraid to shoot at them at night. One family did and they were wiped out. The lions came into the house and took them all. It was terrible."

Charles said, "If we were prepared, I think we could handle them. We brought well over a hundred rounds each on the wagon along with a few other surprises the lions might not like."

He looked at me and said, "Robby, why don't we set up a trap in an empty house and see if we can take them out?"

Pam said, "I want to be sure we're all safe before we do that. That includes you, Robby."

I feigned surprise, "I'm always careful. I'm the most cautious person I know." That resulted in a laugh from my spouses. I pretended to be hurt, "You all know that I'm cautious. I'm just sometimes quick to assess a situation."

Melissa said, "Robby, I think that's true but sometimes it's quicker than anyone else in the world can comprehend."

Pam said, "Back to the initial subject, Robby. What do you think about a trap?"

I responded, "We can do something. I'm concerned that they have invaded a house as a result of an overt offensive maneuver against them. We will need to plan this carefully with a safe room of some kind and the ability to stay there for some time. It will take some thought and planning to find a place and prepare it."

Darryl said, "You're serious about doing something! I'll help and so will others. None of us know what to do or how to do it."

I said, "We were sent up here to help and I have some skills that will be of use. Darryl, are most of the farms around here like yours in layout?"

"Umm, yes, I guess so. Most of them are about the same size and a good layout for a farm is a good layout."

"Darryl, I have some questions. Have you seen or heard of any of these lions in trees?"

"Only once, that's how they got Fred. He was our best shooter. He was pulled down from a tree stand."

"Have they ever attacked a house in the daytime?"

"No. They stay back in the day. If you go into the woods, they are there and will get you. I've lost cows that way. There's a section of our pasture that crosses a creek and goes into the tree line about a hundred feet. Crossing that creek is a death sentence for our animals. We don't do it."

"Is there an armory close around that hasn't been raided?"

"Cape Girardeau has the best. I don't think anyone has been in it since the Day. We've never seen any reason for going there or getting in there."

"Good. That's our next stop. We'll need some gas or diesel depending upon what we find there. Darryl, we're going to fight a war against the lions. I want some real firepower and armament to hit them hard enough to either kill them off or make the survivors find somewhere else to live from that time on."

Cindy said, "I don't know how you'll do that but I sure hope you do."

"I hope so, too. On both counts." I chuckled. "It all depends upon what we find at the armory and how we can utilize it."

We spent the night with Darryl and Cindy after shutting the animals up tightly in the barn and ourselves in the house. Cindy treated us to a good breakfast and Darryl went with us to the armory. We had to break in. The building was well built and spacious. Pam suggested that all the people in the area surviving move to the armory, which was safe from lion attacks.

The armory also had Humvee's with sufficient armor to protect the occupants from lions. There were even three Bradley machines if we could use them. Fuel was our next issue. The tanks at the armory were not really useable. Darryl and Charles would begin to ride to the neighbors to tell them what we were planning. Melissa would stay barricaded in the armory while Pam would go with me to search for diesel to power either group of vehicles. These were the military versions, not the civilian Hummers. Either one would be able to sustain attacks from lions but the Bradley's would be my choice if we can get them cranked. They were tracked, which gave them serious rough terrain ability, and could be used "buttoned up." The ones at the armory were the troop carrier version and even had gun ports for extra shooters.

Charles and Darryl's trip bore fruit and families started to come into the armory and join Melissa. When they returned, Cindy and the children were with them. Melissa had been busy making the armory ready for guests. I worked over fighting machines. We wound up with fourteen adults, three teenagers, and twelve kids. Our trip was successful and we returned with diesel and some serious batteries to turn over engines until they started.

I overheard one couple talking. The husband said, "I told you the government would get their act together and come help us." The wife just nodded.

Darryl introduced us to the crowd. They seemed to take our marital status without any problem particularly since we offered a chance of curing them of their problem. I explained at length that I was not from any government, be it federal, state, or local. I told them that our pastor told us of a vision that he had. From it, he told our community that some people northwest of us needed help.

I asked about experience in the military and with the Bradley's. Two of the men and one woman were familiar with the Bradley's and could drive them. We worked over the Bradley's and managed to crank two. The third had a problem that we couldn't quickly diagnose. Charles and Melissa would ride with one along with two other men. The other man, Stan, would drive the other and Pam and I would ride with him along with two more men and one woman. It turned out she knew the weapons systems well. We cranked the Bradley's and filled them with diesel. Each was left with a crew of two while they warmed up and were "exercised" to be sure they would operate properly. We went looking for and found night vision goggles for all riders with six extra sets for those remaining inside.

I called everyone together and said, "You have been told that we are from a community called Protection and came to help. In case you missed it, my name is Robby. I used to be in the Special Forces before the Day. I have fought men but this will be my first time against animals.

"The plan is simple. Stay here, have the lions surround us letting them hear the motors running, and then tomorrow we attack. That plan is also simple. We will put the two Bradley's outside during the day with crews. On my signal in the evening, we will begin to shoot the lions from the Bradley's and shooting will start from here, also. I want noise. The Bradley's machine guns will do the most but I hope that most of us will be able to kill a few. My hope would be to kill all the lions. My real expectation is to severely cut their numbers and finish the job if they will attack us a second night. The other choice will be to go into the woods and fields after them. That will be more dangerous but can be done. Until we think the threat is over, everyone will remain here in relative safety. If anyone has a better idea or embellishments that will help, let me know."

No one had any ideas. That night, the eyes were out. We had gassed the Bradley's with diesel and ran them with two small crews in each. I took my sniper rifle and shot lions as quickly as I could aim and hit them. We had radios in each Bradley and I had another. I radioed the occupants telling them to stand pat and stay inside their machines. I also told them they were free to move if they felt the need. Lions went on each vehicle. They swung the gun mounts and knocked them off. I shot lions killing fifteen or so. I had the lights cut and used the night goggles and caught four more. I thought I had made a noticeable dent in the population. It was late and Pam spelled me and shot one more. As the sun came up, the lions left the area. I told the Bradley occupants to be very careful of traps. I suggested that they look each other over but cautioned them to keep their fingers off any triggers. Inside the roll-up door, the fifty was ready just in case we were rushed. We opened the roll-up door and each Bradley came in. We shut the door. The motors were shut down and the crews exited. We fueled them for the coming evening. We would have larger crews and plan on shooting from each platform. We would have a crew of three with four shooters for each vehicle. Pam and I would stay in the building tonight.

It was late afternoon when we again checked each vehicle and made sure they were loaded with diesel. I reminded each person to be sure not to shoot at the armory or each other. I said, "This is particularly true for the turret mounted guns. They can pierce much more than you think and that includes buildings."

We mounted the fifty and rolled up the door, the two Bradley's exited the building, and we lowered the door without incident. As per plan, they went in different directions looking for lions with instructions to shoot any they found. They reported a number of lion bodies from last night including two wounded ones. The wounded were dispatched quickly. They each continued to roll through town looking for targets but finding none.

Upon reaching the edge of town, they stopped and turned around. The turrets were turned to face out and everyone watched and waited. The instructions now were to allow the lions to enter town and, hopefully, surround the armory. Few animals came into town within their sight. However, we were soon surrounded by a number of lions. I counted twenty though it wasn't for sure since they were moving. Besides, to me, a lion is a lion. A couple of our people shot at them but they were moving. My shots hit and wounded my targets, usually fatally. If the animal wasn't fast, my second shot was sufficient to make a kill.

The most worrisome thing in my mind was the lack of reserves. These people were not fighters and I was concerned that a real rush might produce mistakes that could cost lives. That's the reason I kept the Bradley's separated. I would have liked them close for mutual support and to receive support from the armory but my fear of a friendly incident overpowered that idea.

As soon as it was dusk, I told the Bradley drivers to begin a search and kill mission in their area again cautioning them to be careful.

When it became dark, we could see eyes again. I noticed there weren't as many as before. I hoped we were making a dent in the big cat population. I had Pam on the radio and had her warn both Bradley crews to be careful and stay inside their machines. She then went around to every shooter in the armory with the same warning. My rifle had a flash suppressor and a scope and I began to pick off some of the further away sets of eyes. I took my time trying to make every shot count. It was slow but steady work and I moved around to get an idea of the number and density. I could hear and occasionally see the Bradley's as they covered their assigned areas.

I tried to remember that these were animals but kept in mind that they weren't stupid and it would take more than just a clever trap to bag them all. This would be a scary area for a long, long time. My idea was moving to the premise that these people might need to come with us to Protection with the Bradley's as a rear guard on the trip. Much more diesel would be needed as well as a plan for the trip or we would lose people if the lions followed. That shouldn't be allowed to happen, as we didn't need this problem in Protection.

From inside, I herd a scream of pain. I carried my rifle and Pam carried her shotgun as we ran to the source of the scream, which had bubbled to a stop. We arrived to see a huge tawny paw waving through a window. Pam and I lifted our rifle and shotgun and shot simultaneously. The boom made by the shotgun overwhelmed the sound of my rifle. Both of us hit and the paw was withdrawn with a yowl of rage and pain. Pam chambered another round and I hurried forward to the limp body lying on the floor. The woman was dead, her eyes staring to the ceiling in death with a large piece of her shoulder and throat ripped away. We needed to do something about windows. Others came up and helped me pull the body away from the wall. I looked at the onlookers and shouted, 'Get everyone away from windows! Go now!" They left.

Pam said, "We need to guard the windows. The lions can knock down any wood we put on from the inside."

"Yes, but there would be a warning with wood up." I replied. "Go back to the radio, Lovie. I will find sentries and start some others at boarding windows." She nodded and left. I covered the body. Seeing a younger girl there, I said, "Would you watch the window? Stay back. Yell, loudly if anything tries to come through it." She nodded fearfully and I left to round up some sentries and helpers.

I found the rest, mostly women, in a group. I told the two men to go together and find some wood, nails and a hammer. I set the women to guarding windows until we had something up. I just finished when I heard a loud crash and a scream. I ran to it and saw a lion advancing on one of the sentry women. A young teenaged boy had a chair to fend off the advancing lioness. I stopped and shot her in the head following that shot with two more into the heart. She started to jump when her legs buckled and she collapsed dead. I looked at the kid and said, "Good work. Find a rifle and ammo and come back. You stay here to yell." They both nodded. He and I left.

There was another crash and scream just around the corner from me. I ran into the room and shot the lion advancing on a young woman who was standing behind a chair. I said, "Do you know how to shoot?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Get a rifle and ammo. Return here." She ran off and I stayed on watch. A moment later, a head started through the window. I shot it between the eyes. It fell back. Steel jacketed bullets don't necessarily make a big hole but they do make long holes. The young woman ran up with a rifle and a box of bullets. Happily, they matched.

She began to load the rifle with the steel jacketed bullets. I said, "Those are steel jacketed. They won't make big holes but will make long holes. Try for a headshot, then the heart, and the knees. Somewhere in that process, your target should die." She nodded.

I ran for the radios. Pam was there and talking to one of the Bradley's. "I don't know the name of the dead woman. Everyone else is fine. I'll try to find out. In the meantime, continue your task. Out!"

She looked at me and said, "Someone was on the radio saying that many people were hurt and dead. They left the air after I chewed their butt. I will stay here. Please, find out who died. That information may help keep the Bradley's on task. I will call you if I need you."

"Okay. I'll be back." I went to the room where the dead woman was. Two people were in there and I asked, "Does either of you know who she was?"

An older woman had joined the young girl holding a rifle like she knew what she was doing. She said, "She was Carol Williams. Her husband, Dave, is in one of the Bradley's. They didn't have any children."

"Thanks. Yell if you need help." I returned to Pam.

Pam was listening to the radio when I returned to her. I heard, " ... waiting to hear who was killed."

"Lovie, I know who she was. She was Carol Williams. Her husband, Dave, is in a Bradley. They had no children."

Pam looked at the rosters of the crews and said, "That's where I'm getting the most chatter. There are a couple of guys in that Bradley who are really nervous. Charles and Melissa are in that one, too." She paused, "Robby, I'm worried."

"Now I am, too. We need to tell them. Not knowing will be as bad. Give me the mike." I sighed. I keyed the mike and said, "This is Robby. We have had more than one break-in but only one injury. It was fatal. Carol Williams was killed by a lioness and I shot it."

Melissa came over the radio saying, "Dave is pretty broken up. Stand by."