The man scratched his salt and pepper beard and thought for a moment before responding. “Gladly. Anything that makes our survival easier and more certain.”
Bill smiled, bent down, and shook the man’s hand. “But that doesn’t mean you’re reinstated and can chase me for non-payment of parking fines.”
The group laughed at the joke, shuffled in their places, getting more comfortable, relaxing slightly.
Bill looked at the group as a whole again. “Howard has my full authority to deal with day to day minor issues or disputes. Go to him first rather than me or any of the other leaders.”
In spite of the fact that they generally liked Bill and were thankful for his foresight and that he had taken the lead to form this small community, providing them with a roof over their heads, food, water and protection, they were in awe of the man. Some actually feared him. Although he always appeared to be fair, there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that, equally, he could be unswerving and ruthless.
Bill continued his pacing. “We’ve pretty much been holed up in this building, our new home, for four weeks now. Currently, we have a decent level of supplies, but with over eighty mouths to feed they’ll be consumed pretty quickly so need to be replaced. Some of us, for differing reasons, have been outside, into the city streets. It’s still dangerous. Areas remain contaminated, many of the buildings are unsafe, and there are gangs out there who are keen to take what we have. But now it’s time for us to go into the outside world in greater numbers and with a definite purpose.”
He turned to the second man sitting on the seats at the front. Robbie, an ex-mechanic in his early forties and Bill’s number two, stood up. At six foot two, a triathlete, and as sharp as a knife, he was a man to be reckoned with if you ever got on the wrong side of him.
“First, we need to top up our supplies. Robbie will post a notice on the board after this meeting detailing the supply teams. These teams will be looking for non-food items: fuel, batteries, medical supplies, clothing, bedding, anything that we think we’ll need to equip us to survive these coming winter months and probably years. He will then discuss your modus operandi with you. Thanks, Robbie.”
Robbie nodded his acceptance of the role and sat back down.
Bill turned to his right, looking at the man sitting at the end of the row of seats. Trevor had a shock of white hair with a beard to match. In his forties, a chef for one of the city’s major hotels up until the bombs struck, Bill felt he was the ideal candidate to take charge of this critical operation. “Trevor here will take responsibility for provisions. Some of you will be assigned to scavenging teams and will be expected to search for and bring back any food, water or other sustenance that will be of use to the community. Trevor has already started to draw up a list and will provide a marked map for the teams of the likely areas where foodstuffs may be found. I will also take a team out myself. Questions?”
A young man in his late twenties, his wife’s blonde head resting on his lap, spoke up. “What about the soldier boys and other authorities that could still be in control out there?”
“A good question. Mathew, isn’t it?”
The man nodded.
“He can lead one of the teams tomorrow, eh, Trevor?”
“Already on my list, Bill.”
Bill walked towards the assembled group.
“Nice one. So, Mathew, you’ll be taking a team out on a foraging run tomorrow. You OK with that?”
Mathew nodded, comfortable with the decision made and secretly pleased that he had been given that responsibility.
“Now, to answer your question. We’re not really sure what the situation is like out there. We know from our brief forays that there are gangs roaming the streets and they are the real threat. A threat to our home as well. But I’ll come on to that later. As to the Government, we’ve not seen any real evidence of their presence. We suspect there is a regional centre, or a sub-division of it at least, to the south-east, around Crowborough. One mixed patrol, army and police, was spotted about a week ago. But, like us, they will have kept a low profile while radiation levels were high. Again, like us, I’m sure they’ll be more active in the future. No doubt the gangs out there and the military will clash. But, Mathew, you and the other team leaders when nominated are to avoid contact with any local authority and certainly the gangs in the area. We must keep a low profile until we can establish ourselves. I’m sure all are aware of our presence, but so far they haven’t been inquisitive enough to come and pay us a serious visit. But, in due course, they will. And we’ll need to be ready.”
“What about protection?” asked Mathew.
“Each group will have someone assigned for that purpose. Which brings me on to the next point: security.”
Bill walked back to the last of the men sitting out at the front. Trevor sat down, and Simon stood up. “Simon will be responsible for the security of the tower block along with the security of the teams operating outside the building. I’ve given him a team of twelve, and those of you assigned to his security detail will be notified later. They will be given some training in the use of the shotguns we’ve acquired and in the makeshift weapons that are in the process of being made. Simon and his team will take responsibility for the twenty-four-hour protection of this.” His arm swept around the room. “This tower block is all we have. If we lose its protection, we’ll be on the streets and at the mercy of the environment and the thugs. Worst of all, we’ll be without shelter, food and water. Even though Simon and his boys will watch over us day and night, should we be attacked or under serious threat, all will be expected to participate in the defence of our home.”
He scanned the faces, making eye contact with some. “Clear?”
“Yes,” responded half a dozen quietly.
“Clear?!” Bill asked again, raising his voice.
“Yes,” the entire group replied this time, making a more concerted effort to show their commitment.
“Good, we can’t survive in isolation. We need to work together in order to get through whatever will be thrown at us. And, believe me, a lot of shit will come our way. Thanks, Simon, I’ll leave it at that for now. Simon will update us when he’s ready.”
Simon sat back down. Bill looked at the faces staring back at him and felt sure they looked more upbeat, more confident, secure in the knowledge that there was direction from him in how the group would manage the uncertainties of the future.
“One last thing, and then you can go about your business. Sally has promised us all a mug of hot chocolate after the meeting. Powdered milk I’m afraid, but something to look forward to. Is that right, Sally?”
“Yes, Bill,” she confirmed, beaming, pleased to get some recognition.
“Last but not least, Owen.”
The man stood up. Although barely above five foot five in height, Owen was far from slight. His chest and arms bulged inside his shirt and jumper, and muscled legs strained at his jeans. Even his face and neck muscles looked and probably felt like iron. As well as being fitness fanatic before the country’s demise, his job as a drayman, delivering barrels of beer and crates of bottled drinks to the pubs in the area, had ensured his muscles had been regularly exercised and tested.
“Owen will control our internal operations: finalising where people will be housed, our eating arrangements, which will remain collective for a while longer, rubbish disposal, heating, fitting out and so on. Whatever is required to ensure we have an efficient and clean habitat to live in. We’re not completely on top of each other, but it won’t take long for the quality of our new abode to deteriorate and become dirty and unhygienic. That could well lead to disease, illness and death. Rats could also become a serious problem. It’s up to us to work together, OK?”