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The Cabin, Kentucky
“No hanky panky while we’re gone,” Lance grinned, looking at Ian.
“Brah, you need to chill. I’m going to finish the tracked buggy and Carrie will be here,” Ian blushed. “How long you figure it will take you?”
Shrugging, “Few hours, if they set up like we told them,” Lance answered as Lilly came out of the house with Lori and Denny. “You ready to start for the outing tonight?”
“Hell, yeah,” Ian grinned. “If anyone has earned an exploit, it’s the pirates. Are you going to tell them where we’re going?”
Nodding as Allie and Jodi came out the backdoor, “Yeah,” Lance huffed. “And they aren’t going. They aren’t good enough for a scouting, at least not yet.”
“I’m glad because Jennifer was freaking out in the Nazi camp. I told her to relax, but she was wound so tight if she would’ve farted, I think she would’ve exploded,” Ian admitted. “But she did move well, just stiff and she did what we told her without hesitation.”
“Yeah, if this was going to be a deed I’d let them go, but now the other side gets direct action on the spot, so that increases the stakes. It’s rare we do exploits, but the dickwads started it and we don’t even have to worry about the cops,” Lance said with a nod, watching the group climb in one of the new crew cab Polaris Rangers they’d gotten. “It was really nice of the Nazis to deliver us new rides,” Lance grinned.
“Would’ve been better if they would’ve been dampened when we got them,” Ian huffed. “That diesel we used could be heard over fifty yards away. We’re lucky stinkers didn’t follow us back from the ambush site.”
“Well, it’s quiet now,” Lance said, watching Lilly climb behind the steering wheel. Cranking up the Ranger, Lilly reached out to touch the dash and feel it vibrate, confirming it was cranked and Lance grinned. “Don’t think we’ll get it as quiet as the gas ones, though.”
“Be cool, brah,” Ian said, patting Lance’s shoulder.
Seating his mask on his face, “You too,” Lance said, putting on his helmet. Climbing in the UTV, he glanced back to see Denny and Lori on the outside of the backseat with Allie between them. He looked between him and Lilly at Lori. “Um, where’s Dino going to sit?”
“He’s on the trailer,” Lilly told him.
Leaning out, Lance saw Dino on the small five-foot trailer that was loaded with gear, sitting up rather regally, like he was surveying his domain. “Glad because Dino not going isn’t an option,” Lance said.
“We ready?” Lilly asked, grabbing the shifter.
“I am,” Lance replied, and Lilly dropped the shifter into drive.
Turning around and driving around the cabin, Lilly shook her head. “I don’t know how you two got this one so quiet.”
“Gas is easy, but this one is brand new. Hell, the Nazis only put a hundred miles on it. All the other ones we worked on were used and several years old,” Lance told her as the inner gate started to open and Lilly slowed.
“How are the new bots doing?” Lilly asked, easing through the inner gate and the outer gate swung open.
“Surprisingly, the gun bots are doing well, but we’ve already identified some problems that have to be addressed,” Lance chuckled. “The new battle bots are doing great and it seems the wheeled version doesn’t use as much power to move. It’s early, but it looks like they are ten percent more efficient, but I’m not jumping to conclusions just yet. The tracked bots aren’t showing the vibrations to the body that the wheeled bots are.”
Driving along the fence, Lilly risked a glance over at Lance. “You had doubts about the gun bots?”
“No, they are highly-crafted machines, and we’ve learned those tend to break or fail much more often. We learned on some deeds, the more complicated the machine, the more problems we have,” Lance told her as the fence fell away and Lilly started up the slope. “We made it as robust as we could and I only wanted to put out one gun bot so we could refine the design like we did with the battle bots, but Ian wanted to go straight to production after proof of concept.”
Reaching the ridge, Lilly followed it until she reached the diversion fence chute. “You be careful going to check on them,” Lilly said, weaving through the chute and then started down the slope.
“Humph,” Lance scoffed. “There are nine different ways I can shut them down remotely. If I have to walk up to one and shut it down, I’ll shut that motherfucker down with a sniper rifle. I’m not walking up on one of those things.”
Giving a relieved sigh, Lilly pulled into the yard of the build house and shook her head at all the trailers and the growing collection of supplies, what Lance and Ian called it. Junk, what Lilly and Jennifer called it. She was just thankful some of the ‘supplies’ the boys had brought to the cabin were now moving over the ridge to the build house. Neither she nor Jennifer or anyone else had been to the research area, but had seen the boys hauling equipment there. Just the fact the boys used the research area to work on stuff that was too dangerous to test or work on inside the fence or at the build house scared the living shit out of Lilly. They made chemicals, bombs, and bots inside the fence. The gun bots were first tested at the research area, but were moved back to the cabin. Knowing what the boys built and tested inside the fence, neither Lilly nor Jennifer really wanted to go to the research area.
“When do you think battle bot one will be ready to go back out?” Lilly asked, driving down the driveway.
Keeping his AR across his lap aimed outside, Lance scanned around while shaking his head. “We won’t put it in another playground. It has another job in its future. Compared to the last generation, it’s ancient and way too light. We’re going to rebuild it, but just upgrade it for one last hurrah.”
The fact Lance casually said something they had only built months ago was ancient, unnerved Lilly for some reason. “What about the power plant?” she asked.
Glancing over his shoulder to Denny, “Denny, how long until bot one’s power plant is ready?” Lance asked.
“If I can get you to help with the Stirling Engine, tomorrow,” Denny replied, scanning around and cradling his AR. “If not, a week. Sorry, but I have trouble programing the CNC.”
“I’ll help you set up the CNC,” Lance chuckled, turning around.
“What about the battery?” Lilly asked.
“Denny patched that up last night with Lori,” Lance answered as Lilly pulled onto the valley road and headed up the valley. When they passed the meeting house, Lilly turned off the road, following the driveway to the clubhouse.
“What are you going to do with that power station?” Lilly asked, passing the clubhouse and driving up the draw behind it.
“Put it there,” Lance said, jerking his thumb back at the clubhouse. “After Ian and I get permanent power there, all radio and later video will be sent there and then sent to us by line. When the Beard Clan gets set up, we’ll start putting out video cameras that will have directional antennas beamed to here and then transmitted out via cable. It’s not perfect, but we need eyes outside of our perimeter.”
“Oh, I thought we could set some cameras for the Beard Clan,” Lilly groaned.
“Okay. If you don’t care about having eyes on likely approach paths to us, to give us warnings of bandits and hordes of stinkers,” Lance shrugged.
“How many cameras are you talking about setting up around us?” Lilly gasped.
“Starting off with sixteen, then adding more when we get more gear to build others or collect them if we can,” Lance answered. “Ian wants fifty-eight. I want thirty-seven. Don’t tell Ian, but I’m almost ready to give in because he can whine till he gets his way.”
Nodding and chuckling as she turned onto the ridge and followed it north, then turned off driving down the slope heading to the Bear Trap Group, “The Beard Clan can make due setting up their own cameras,” Lilly said.
Chuckling, “Heath gave them the design for hydro, and I showed them where to set it up at,” Lance told her. “They move as fast as Heath; they will have power this week. They damn sure have the manpower with eighteen bodies. Glad we sent them to where we did.”
Pulling on the road below the house Lilly slowed, watching the gate open up. “I like our gates better,” Lilly confessed, looking at the wrought iron gates opening remotely.
Driving the UTV in, Lilly saw Heath’s group with Patrick and David standing with them. “Yeah, they passed the trust stage going out to help,” Lance mumbled as Lilly pulled to a stop.
“Hey, guys,” Heath said walking over, and his kids piled out and ran over to Heath and Robin. Jodi jumped out after Lance and ran to her mom and dad.
“Look at our little soldier,” Dwain sang out, picking Jodi up.
“You and Ian are geniuses!” Ethan cried out, coming over to Lance with his brother Dennis. “I have to admit, I doubted some of what Heath told us when we met you, but I’ll admit, I was wrong. You two make stinker eaters! Since those new bots have been up, we haven’t had one in the valley.”
Feeling uncomfortable from the praise, Lance grinned, “Just doing what we can.”
Dennis turned, pointing at the solar dish they had set up for Heath. “That thing is awesome. I’ve read about Stirling Engines, but you take the concept to the next level,” Dennis gasped.
Now feeling awkward with the praise, Lance just shrugged and shook their hands as Heath came over. “Lance, you eat yet?” Heath asked.
“Heath, it’s eight o’clock in the morning, why wouldn’t we have had breakfast?” Lance asked.
Shrugging, “Sorry, forgot who I was talking to,” Heath chuckled.
“Let me check your setup and if it’s good, let’s get this hooked up. We have several small projects to take care of at the cabin,” Lance said and walked off, heading around the massive house.
“Thought you were taking the day off?” Heath asked, following Lance with the other guys in tow.
“We are. We skipped workout and are only doing projects we want to work on,” Lance answered, looking at the modifications they had done to the house.
“Oh,” Heath muttered, following Lance to the back corner of the yard where the stream ran down from the ridge above the house. Lance stopped, looking at a cemented pool the stream ran into and could see the pipes at the bottom of the pool that ran down the hill.
“Nice job,” Lance nodded, and inspected the concrete waterway that led out of the pool over to the original streambed. “Let’s check the bottom and get hooked up,” Lance told him and walked off.
Walking back to the front, Lance saw Lilly and Rhonda talking. “Wonder if that’s good or bad,” Lance mumbled, noticing the serious expressions on both faces. When Lilly saw him looking at her, she smiled and waved.
“Who’s covering me?” Lance asked climbing in the UTV, and Heath, Dwain, and Ethan climbed in his UTV while Patrick and David climbed in another.
“I’m coming,” Denny said, forcing his way in the backseat.
“You need me?” Lilly asked.
“Shit, if a stinker gets by all them, we are all screwed,” Lance chuckled and turned the UTV around in the yard. Dino moved up beside him, trotting along as Dennis opened the gates with a remote.
“How has Grady been acting?” Lance asked, driving out the gate.
“Now that he has a task, surprisingly well,” Heath answered. “He’s been putting in more cameras.”
“Laying eight hundred feet of pipe down this draw, we took out the cable line to two of the houses,” Dwain chuckled from the backseat. “Forgot to call and get our permits.”
“Well, you needed the hundred and twenty feet drop,” Lance said, slowing down and stopping beside a newly built cinder block building. Climbing out, Lance waited for Heath to unlock the door and checked the pipes and wire coming into the building. “Did a good job,” Lance nodded.
“So, it’s good to go?” Heath grinned.
Nodding, Lance started taking off his tactical vest. “Yep, need cover because I don’t like a lot of stuff on playing with electricity.”
Everyone but Heath, Denny, and Patrick moved off to provide cover, and Lance had Heath and Patrick unload the trailer. “Patrick, when will you be done?” Lance asked, connecting one of the turbines to one of the pipes.
“Waiting on cement to dry for the pool, and mortar to set on the power building,” Patrick answered, watching Lance’s every move. “We should be finished putting the pipes down day after tomorrow and just hook it up to the pool and powerhouse. Then, all we have to do is divert the stream into the pool.”
“Well, you will generate more power because your stream is bigger,” Lance told him, hooking up another turbine.
Patrick turned to Lance as he worked. “Lance, all the streams and rivers around here seem really high,” Patrick informed him. “We found pictures in that house of kids playing in the stream. In the pictures, the stream looks about three maybe four feet wide and at the most, maybe a foot or so deep. Now, the stream is over six feet wide and over three foot deep, with a flow that will take me off my feet.”
Hooking up the last turbine, “Yeah, noticed that when we got here,” Lance grunted, tightening the fitting. “It was Jennifer who solved it for us. Nobody’s drinking, flushing or using the water for industry or farming, and the water is refilling the ecosystem.”
Shaking his head as Lance moved over and started hooking up wires to boxes, “I should’ve thought of that!” Patrick cried out. “How did you guys get so smart? I want to be that smart.”
“I don’t know,” Lance laughed as he continued to work. “Ian and I were working on the water table shifting because of the asteroid when Jennifer told us.”
“How much power you think we’ll get here with hydro?” Heath asked.
“About twenty kilowatts with these turbines,” Lance answered. “But remember, that’s constant power. When we get time, I’m showing Denny how to make you some new turbines. Ian and I are working on a discovery we made by accident at the research area. If it keeps showing promise, we’ll have all the power we need.”
Having heard them talking about the research area, Heath moved closer to Denny. “Son, have you been to this research area?” Heath asked in a low voice.
Shaking his head, “No,” Denny answered with a note of fear. “The stuff they work on there is too dangerous to work on inside the fence. Nobody but them work there. We know where it’s at, but only to avoid it like the plague.”
A shiver ran through Heath’s body as his mind filled with images of terminator robots and terrifying rolling death machines. “It’s not near the build area, is it?” he asked panting in fear.
“No, it’s on the other side of the property just outside the diversion perimeter fence,” Denny told him, and Heath stared at Denny in shock. “Yeah, it’s outside the diversion fence and protected by their next generation of traps. I’ve only seen one of the next generation of traps that we have set up inside the perimeter, and it scares the crap out of me.”
With his mind now in overdrive providing images of new machines he didn’t want, Heath just nodded before moving back over toward Lance. “We will avoid that area at all cost,” he shivered.
When Lance was finished, he stepped out of the powerhouse. “Let’s hook it up to the house,” he grinned, climbing back in the UTV.
Driving back to the house, Lance saw Lilly and Rhonda still talking, but they had moved to the porch. Parking the UTV, Lance headed in the garage past the massive battery. Taking a deep breath and pulling on his heavy rubber gloves, Lance hooked up the heavy cable from the powerhouse.
When he was done, Lance stepped back almost panting. “Done,” he announced.
Heath went over and patted Lance’s back. “Now, tell me what I need to gather to replace what you used.”
“Denny will when we start,” Lance replied, looking over at Denny and winking.
Glancing at his watch, “Well, you can eat lunch with us,” Heath grinned, and steered Lance inside.
Giving up on heading back to the cabin, Lance went inside and Heath guided him over to a table. Sitting down, Lance noticed Allie and Jodi already at the table eating. “We are leaving when we finish,” Lance told them, and they nodded.
“Lance, when do you want to make contact with the others you were thinking of bringing in?” Heath asked, putting a plate down for Lance.
“Dude, you’re still not set up and Patrick is just starting,” Lance laughed, grabbing his glass.
Grabbing another plate and sitting down, “Lance, the longer we wait, the weaker they get if they’re lucky. They get dead if they aren’t, and that just makes more stinkers for us,” Heath said glumly as the others sat down.
“Um, I know we just joined, but I want to say I’m with Heath about none of your group approaching those that are asked,” Patrick stated nervously. “I’m not saying or implying you aren’t tough enough by any means, but I would rather risk injury than any of you.”
Lance cut his eyes at Heath who ignored it and continued eating. “I don’t like you some days,” Lance grumbled at Heath.
“Lance,” Patrick called out, and Lance slowly turned. “How about letting us keep an eye on these new groups, just to make sure they’re all right to join and when you think we’re ready, one of us will approach them, but your group will lay out the terms,” Patrick offered with a pleading look. Never in his life would Patrick have believed he would be intimidated by thirteen-year-old boys, but he and his brothers readily admitted without any shame, Lance and Ian frightened them.
Walking up behind Lance, Lilly hugged him and then dropped in a seat beside him. “Lance, they don’t want either of you getting hurt doing something they can do,” Lilly told him. “I agree with them, since I know deeds have been called for and that’s where I want yours and Ian’s full attention.” Patrick gave a sigh and Heath leaned back in his chair in visible relief that Lilly was taking their side.
Giving a grunt, Lance turned to Lilly, looking at her for several seconds and then finished his sandwich. “I’ll talk it over with Ian, but I don’t see a problem with it,” Lance finally said, and Heath fought the desire to jump up and start dancing. “Lilly, we aren’t giving the pirates deeds,” Lance corrected, and Heath gave a startled gulp.
Looking at Lance, Lilly’s mouth fell open as Lance drained his glass. “This calls for an exploit,” Lance told her.
“Huh?” Lilly grunted.
“Deed; an action that is performed intentionally or consciously,” Lance recited, putting the glass down. “Exploit; a bold or daring feat, to take unfair advantage of.”
Feeling lightheaded, “Um, they aren’t the same?” Lilly asked.
Shaking his head, “No, to the recipient, an exploit is much, much worse,” Lance told her as he got up. “Ian and I have only done one exploit to date. The Prime Directive told us nobody had better get hurt from one of our pranks. We knowingly broke the Prime Directive, but we decided it was worth it.”
Swallowing hard, Lilly stood up nearly panting. “Lance, people got hurt with your deeds before this, and now some have died. You’re telling me an exploit is worse?”
“A deed is to teach a lesson, letting the recipient know they upset someone in the Federation. If they are smart, the recipient tries to rectify and make amends. The Devil Lords and Nazis could’ve left and we would’ve stopped. We will chase the pirates to the ends of the Earth and bring them torment with a dildo covered in nails,” Lance huffed. “An exploit is only to hurt, and now that we don’t have to worry about getting in trouble for breaking the Prime Directive, the degree of injury inflicted will be severe. To be honest, we’re shooting for wounding to a degree where death is inevitable but will take some time before the recipient dies. We both agree the Prime Directive parameters have changed.”
Getting very worried as Lance pulled on his gloves, “Lance, I’m still not following,” Lilly told him.
Looking over at Lilly, “An exploit, they know they pissed us off because we let them know,” Lance said. “Primitive, I’ll agree. Unimaginative, to a degree,” Lance nodded, “but sometimes you just want to grab someone by the balls and grind them off with a cheese grater as they watch and howl in pain, just because you want them to know who is bringing them this misery.”
Having seen some of the recordings of deeds, Heath’s face was pale, realizing there was another level of suffering the boys could bring on others.
“So, an exploit is like retribution?” Lilly asked as Lance grabbed his rifle.
“Retribution: punishment inflicted as vengeance for a wrong or criminal act,” Lance recited. “No, retribution calls for a deed. To let someone know they have done wrong. The Pirates are chrome-plated, 360-degree assholes and will be dealt with as such.”
Really not liking the sound of the true hate Lance was showing, Lilly moved around the table, grabbing Lance’s arm. “It was a robot, Lance. I’ll build you another one on my own time,” Lilly panted. “I’ll rebuild everything they broke; I swear to you. You and Ian just do deeds.”
“I’ll help!” Heath shouted, jumping out of his chair and everyone in his group quickly chimed in saying they would also.
“We’ll only sleep an hour a day until we replace what they hurt,” Dwain offered.
Ignoring them, Lance just looked at Lilly. “Lilly, it’s not the equipment that pissed us off. We put up a sign and warned people to leave our shit alone. What did the pirates do? Pulled out their dicks, rubbed them in our faces, double ass fucked us, and took a shit on our front door. People shouldn’t ignore our warnings. I thought we were being nice to even put a warning up, but you and Jennifer have said many times, you don’t want us to hurt people who are just moving through.”
Lance stopped as the others processed what he wasn’t saying. They all realized just who Lance and Ian listened to. “I’m sorry, but Ian and I won’t restrain our tactics like that anymore. The only ones who don’t have to worry about getting caught up in this are those in this coalition. Everyone else can pucker up and kiss the brown star between my cheeks,” Lance grunted. The others gave a thankful sigh they were under the protection, seen as friends by Ian and Lance, and most present didn’t want to push their luck.
Walking out, “We are heading back,” Lance called over his shoulder. Allie, Denny, Lori, and Jodi jumped up from the table, grabbing their stuff.
Still processing the hate Lance had for the pirates, “You can ask him later,” Rhonda told Lilly.
“No,” Lilly said, shaking her head and took off after Lance, and Rhonda saw none of the kids appeared even remotely worried.
“You do realize what Lance was talking about?” Rhonda asked them.
Little Allie busted out laughing. “Those little pirate cock juggling thunder pussies are going to get spanked.” The adults looked at the small girl as she grabbed her AR. “You don’t even try and pretend you aren’t scared of Lance and Ian. They like me and Carrie, and they put us in a force field and it really hurts when someone takes it off,” she informed them with a serious face. “Lance and Ian didn’t care one way or the other about those bikers or Nazis. They looked at them like lint on your clothes that needs to be removed. But the pirates, they hate, and those little bitches ... are they going to get skittled,” she ended with the most adorable smile, and that really disturbed everyone.
Turning to Denny, “Skittled?” Heath whispered.
“Knocked over, wiped out, and slammed off your feet. A very bad beat down,” Denny answered.
“Great, just when I didn’t think I could be more terrified of two teenaged boys, I’m proven wrong again by a little girl,” Heath gasped as his kids came over to hug him bye.
Catching up to Lance in the carport, “Lance,” Lilly called out, making him stop. When Lance turned around, Lilly shook her head. “No, I’m not talking about exploits and stuff,” she said quickly, noticing Lance had that irritated expression.
Seeing the irritation leave, Lilly smiled. “I want to propose we let Holly and Dawn move in with us,” Lilly said, and was surprised to see shock on Lance’s face. “Sweetness, Ethan and Dennis worked for Victor, um, they know about Holly since she was around Victor. Them and their wives look at her like a whore.”
“They’ve called her that?” Lance snapped, gripping his rifle tight, moving for the door.
Grabbing Lance’s arm, “No,” Lilly said quickly. “Babe, if they had, you really think Rhonda wouldn’t have capped them? She loves Holly like a little sister.”
“He was an old man screwing a thirteen-year-old girl!” Lance cried out. “I should go in there and shoot them for not doing anything.”
“Then you would have to shoot Rhonda,” Lilly snapped. Watching Lance jump back Lilly smiled, but wasn’t surprised that he was thinking. “First, Lance, Rhonda showed me pictures of Holly when she was thirteen. She didn’t look thirteen. Now she looks my age. Rhonda knew how old she was and you heard she tried to get law involved. Dennis and Ethan didn’t know how old Holly was for a year. Is it right? Fuck no,” Lilly said quickly. One thing she had learned, head Lance’s anger off fast with facts and you had a chance to stop violence of action.
“Lance, you can’t be mad at Holly. Hell, white trash was rich compared to her family. She saw a means to move up and took it. I don’t agree with it, but I’m not telling anyone what they should and shouldn’t do,” Lilly told him, slowing her talking down. “Holly can tell how they look at her and it bothers her. If Heath, Dwain, Robin, and Kathy realize that, they will throw Ethan and Dennis along with their families out. But like Rhonda says, they need the manpower here.”
Letting his rifle hang off the one point sling under his arm, “You realize what you’re asking?” Lance sighed.
“Lance, Holly only made it to the fifth grade, but she’s smarter than you think. Just look at how long she survived on her own with a toddler and being pregnant,” Lilly pointed out, and Lance raised his eyebrows as he nodded at that accomplishment alone. “I’m certain, as is Rhonda, if Holly actually had an environment to learn in, she would. But if this doesn’t work, all any of you have to do is tell me, and I’ll bring her and Dawn back here, no questions asked. I’m just asking to give her a chance. Besides, I’m the only doctor, and I really need to get used to treating humans. I don’t want to wait until the baby is on the way.”
Impressed by the sound reasoning, Lance turned, looking out of the carport. “Tell Holly to grab their stuff. We can put it to the group on a trial basis like the kids. I know Jennifer will agree with you and so will Ian.”
Nearly knocking down Lance as she wrapped her arms around him, “Thank you,” Lilly squealed. “I knew a girl like her growing up. Granted she wasn’t nearly as country as Holly, but dirt poor.”
“So you knew a girl that was getting boned by an old man?” Lance gasped, pushing Lilly back.
“Lance, they don’t see an old man, they see a means out of their life. They see the lifestyle the ‘old man’ has, but yes, I did. Two, in fact,” Lilly told him. “Hell, I knew girls in high school going out with forty-year-olds, and their families were well off. They just wanted to date an older man.”
Grinding his teeth, “Go tell Holly so we can leave,” Lance waved at the door as the others walked out. When Lilly took off, Lance turned around with a scowl. “This is bullshit!” he spat out. “Old wrinkled motherfuckers were boning girls our age, and Ian and I weren’t! The world was fucked before this shit.”
Lori, Jodi, and Denny paused, not hearing what Lilly said, but noticed the scowl and the way Lance stomped off. “Ian’s not here,” Allie sighed, rolling her eyes. “They don’t like getting mad alone. You don’t have to worry about him right now.”
The three watched Allie skip to the buggy and breathed a sigh of relief following. They were all shocked when Holly came out with Lilly. Dawn took off with a squeal, running for the buggy. Allie let out a hopeful cry as she helped Dawn climb up in the buggy. “She’s coming?”
“Yeah,” Lance grumbled, pulling his mask on.
Rearranging gear and the kids’ seating arrangement, making room for Holly and Dawn, they loaded up and Lilly pulled out, speeding back to the cabin. “Lance,” Lilly called out and he just nodded that he’d heard her. “So you’ve done an exploit before?” she asked, and Lance gave a nod.
Driving along the ridges, Lilly waited for Lance to offer details, but by the time they passed the build house, Lance still hadn’t spoken. He was just scanning the area around them, but Lilly knew he was fuming. “Pulling in,” Lilly called over the radio.
“Got you,” Carrie called back in a cheerful voice. “The kitty cats are in the field laying in the sun.”
When they pulled in, Ian and Jennifer were waiting at the gates. Both gave a startle seeing Holly and Dawn in the buggy. Seeing how rigid Lance was sitting, Jennifer gave a long sigh. “I fucking knew we should’ve gone. Somebody pissed in Lance’s Wheaties.”
The gates were closed before the buggy started around the corner of the cabin and Ian turned to Jennifer, furrowing his brow. “I’m sure they have a good reason for bringing them over,” Ian told her.
“No, Ian,” Jennifer grunted. “Lance is pissed.”
Shaking his head, “No, Lance has a case of the red ass, but he’s not mad at Holly or anyone in the buggy,” Ian informed her.
“And just how the hell do you know that?”
“Duh, they were in the buggy,” Ian droned. “He’s mad about something else.”
Just staring at Ian for several seconds, Jennifer spun on her heel, walking off. “If Lance wasn’t my best friend, I would be so fucking jealous!” Jennifer cried out, throwing her hands in the air and storming around the corner of the house, and Ian took off. “You two know what the other is thinking just by looking at each other!”
Catching up, Ian put his arm over her shoulders, “I think it’s so cool we have the same best friend,” Ian grinned.
Tilting her head to the side as she looked up at Ian, “I think the only reason you aren’t mad by proximity is you get smooches,” Jennifer grinned.
With his cheeks turning red, Ian nodded. “I’m not going to deny or confirm.”
They came around the back as the others were getting out and heard Lance. “Allie, show Holly where to put her and Dawn’s stuff on the last bunkbed.”
Both came to a stop as Lilly ran over and Lance headed for the shop, nearly stomping his feet. Stopping in front of Ian and Jennifer, Lilly told them why Holly was there and what Lance had said. When she was finished, Ian stumbled back, “You knew young girls that were getting boned by old men?!” Ian cried out.
“Ian,” Jennifer sighed, rolling her eyes. “Suzie Miller slept with Mr. Tuller and Mr. Griffon.”
Ian’s legs gave out and he dropped to his ass, staring at Jennifer in shock. “They are older than my dad!” he shouted.
Giving a shrug, “I’m certain Suzie let Mr. Oliver bone her, but I know for a fact Tabitha did,” Jennifer said, giving a shudder.
Hearing that, Ian’s shudder was so violent he vibrated across the dirt on his butt. “What?!” Ian screamed. “They weren’t poor!”
“What’s poor got to do with it?” Jennifer asked, cocking her head to the side. “You really think Mr. Oliver paid Tabitha two hundred dollars to help him around the yard?”
Not sure of anything anymore, Ian scrambled to his feet. “I...,” he started, then just looked off. “I need a minute,” Ian mumbled, and headed for the shop.
“Ian,” Jennifer called out and he stopped, turning around. “Mr. Tuller and Mr. Griffon didn’t pay Suzie. She did it on her own. I did try to tell my dad about Mr. Oliver paying some of the girls to do yard work, but he wouldn’t believe me. I really thought you and Lance knew why some of the girls in the neighborhood helped him around the yard.”
Throwing up his hands, “We just watched girls in bikinis working in his yard!” Ian shouted. Spinning around, “This is bullshit!”
“Damn, I never would’ve believed they were naïve,” Lilly mumbled.
“Lilly, those two could’ve slept with three women that I know of. They mowed yards in the summer making money. Ms. Sandy and Ms. Mary put a stop on them from mowing several yards. I heard them talking to my mom about it,” Jennifer said, then laughed. “Even my mom admitted the boys were hot, but only to me. I’m not even counting the older high school or college girls.”
“Should we go in there?” Lilly asked, jerking her chin toward the shop.
“In a minute,” Jennifer sighed.
Staring at the shop, “Why didn’t they see it, the women you talked about?” Lilly asked.
Shrugging, “It wasn’t in their world. Lilly, they are like the best friends you read about in books. Yeah, they interacted with others, but only socially,” Jennifer answered. “And you’ve already seen how blind they are to advances from girls. On that, I’m very thankful for. Lilly, I’m not kidding, they had high school girls, college girls, and women throwing themselves at them, but neither noticed.”
A grin spread across Lilly’s face as she turned to Jennifer. “How did Ms. Sandy and Ms. Mary find out about these women in the neighborhood?” Lilly asked with a grin.
As her eyes grew wide, Jennifer’s face blushed and she wouldn’t face Lilly. “The ah..., ladybugs told them,” Jennifer stuttered.
“Hmm, very perceptive of the ladybugs to see that,” Lilly chuckled. “They are more naïve than Ian and Lance.”
Turning so her back was to Lilly, “Well, I might have said something to Carrie,” Jennifer blurted out.
Stepping over, Lilly hugged Jennifer from behind. “I’m so glad you were there for them,” Lilly chuckled.
With a dark growl, Jennifer started, “Lilly, Ms. Wasson had on a see-through night gown and she wasn’t ugly, and I’m not kidding about see-through. That slutty bitch was the definition of MILF. I’m talking way past cougar. She sat in the backyard watching Ian and Lance work, and both of them had trouble taking their eyes off, for all intents and purposes, a naked woman. Lance cut down half her flower bed with a weed eater and Ian knocked down a birdhouse with the mower. To be honest, I still don’t think either remembers that. They just gawked at her. Ms. Wasson invited them inside when they were done, but neither could talk,” Jennifer paused and then smirked. “Each just held a gas can covering their groin as Ms. Wasson talked to them on the back deck. When she told them to come in so she could pay them, they both let out a cry and just took off running. They snuck back later to get the lawn mower and weed eater.”
Playing out what Jennifer said in her mind’s eye, “Why Jennifer, if I didn’t know better, I would think you saw this with your own eyes,” Lilly whispered, as she hugged Jennifer tight.
Clearing her throat, “Well, um, I, ah, might have been next door in the Taylor’s bushes, looking for their cat,” Jennifer offered.
Laughing, “What gave you the idea to look for the Taylor’s cat?” Lilly asked, and could feel the heat radiating off Jennifer’s face and neck from the blush.
“The day before at the neighborhood party, Ms. Wasson seemed really interested in them. Not like a mom or lady, she kept going over and rubbing Ian and Lance on the back as they ate. She was acting like a whore. What did they do? Just look up at her smiling. Ms. Wasson’s daughter was a senior and a first class slut, so I just figured like mother like daughter,” Jennifer related, then gasped upon realizing what she’d said. “Oh, I mean, the Taylor’s passed out flyers at the party for their lost cat,” she blurted out. “I was just trying to help.”
Holding Jennifer tight, Lilly rocked side to side. “Thank you for being there,” Lilly chuckled. “Now I know how they remained clueless. Between you and the ladybugs, a girl didn’t have a chance getting close to them. When you get a chance, I would like the names of these sluts.”
“Why? I saw most were stinkers when we left the house.”
“You never know, and that’s one thing I will never do. I will never take that innocence. Lance will lose that on his own before I ever give in to that,” Lilly smiled and then chuckled. “I don’t care how many movies they watch.”
Tilting her head so she could see Lilly behind her, “You know?” Jennifer asked.
Scoffing, “There is only one reason why a guy will lock the doors with a TV in the room,” Lilly chuckled.
Stepping away, “I want to know where they got ‘em?” Jennifer huffed. “Their parents always scoured their computers. They had to be very careful because Mr. Johnathan was really good with computers. I know Jason gave them a password to one site...,” Jennifer stopped as the blush sprang back up on her face. “Um, Lance gave it to me when we were talking one night,” she mumbled.
Still holding Jennifer tight, “Really?” Lilly laughed.
“Yeah, I just went to check it out. I never had a password to a site like that,” Jennifer admitted. “I might have checked it out more than once,” she added in a lower voice and Lilly stepped back.
Putting a hand on Jennifer’ shoulder, “If the internet was up, I could show you a few that you didn’t need a password for,” Lilly laughed. “Can I ask when they discovered this site?”
“Right after Thanksgiving,” Jennifer answered, fighting her blush off.
Turning to the shop, “Hormones were kicking in, and this would’ve been the year you would’ve had to really worry about those sluts,” Lilly mumbled.
“Huh?” Jennifer asked, not hearing what Lilly said.
“Think we can go in now?” Lilly asked, not looking away from the shop.
“Let’s go see if they are yelling. If they are, we go inside,” Jennifer offered.
Ian stormed into the shop. “Old fuckers in our neighborhood were boning girls our age!”
Pacing back and forth, “What?!” Lance shouted, skidding to a halt as Ian told Lance what he had learned. “Mr. Oliver’s wrinkled ass was fucking Tabitha?!”
“He was paying those girls to mattress dance with the tube snake, not to work in his yard!” Ian screamed back as both stood nose to nose, breathing hard. “Mr. Tuller and Mr. Griffon weren’t even paying for the pussy!”
“Was everyone fucking and not telling us!” Lance bellowed.
“I don’t know, but this is bullshit!” Ian bellowed back.
Turning away, “We can’t think about this now,” Lance growled, taking a deep breath. “But we damn sure will when we get through.”
“Agreed,” Ian huffed. “You want to notify that group on Gentry Road on the way? If we miss any pirates, they could push that group into battle bot area one.”
Turning as Lilly and Jennifer walked in, Lance noticed Jennifer’s face was slightly flushed as the last of her blush was disappearing. “We will be talking to you about the neighborhood after this exploit,” Lance stated.
“Fine,” Jennifer sighed, fighting not to blush again.
Crossing his arms over his chest, “Jennifer, you and I talked on the phone nearly every night, why didn’t you tell me about all the booty calls in the neighborhood?” Lance asked.
“Um, well-,” Jennifer stuttered, not wanting to confess she didn’t want the boys chasing sluts who would put out. Knowing just why Jennifer never said anything, Lilly stepped past her, looking at Lance.
“Lance, will you tell me about the one exploit you two have done?” Lilly asked, taking her rifle off and setting it on a workbench.
When Lance turned to Ian, “I don’t care, they are part of the crew,” Ian shrugged and Jennifer ran over, hugging him tight.
Laughing, “Harry Gilson keyed Jason’s car,” Lance said, leaning against a workbench. “Jason was Ian’s older brother,” he reminded Lilly.
“I know who Ooops was,” Lilly chuckled.
A huge grin filled Lance’s face as he started. “Well, last year, Jason was dating Harry’s ex-girlfriend and Harry just got kicked off the football team after getting arrested for a DUI. Don’t know why, but Harry blamed it all on Jason. Jason said the only reason he dated Victoria was she put out and could su...” Lance stopped quickly. “Um, well, you get the idea,” he mumbled.
“Jason was a junior and Harry was a senior. Jason was already getting scholarship offers from bunches of schools. Everyone knew who keyed his car, but the cops couldn’t do anything. Jason really couldn’t do more because he didn’t want to get in trouble and get kicked off the team and lose his scholarships. But you don’t pick on our brother,” Lance huffed.
“That’s our job,” Ian chimed in. “He was a pain in the ass, but he was our pain in the ass.”
Nodding, “That’s right,” Lance agreed. “Well, Ian and I left a deed for Harry.”
Snorting as he laughed, “Fucker turned on his car and the doors locked while shaving cream filled the inside,” Ian told them.
Looking Lilly in the eyes, “Well, it seems Harry didn’t get the message and slashed Jason’s tires. He was caught on camera because the dummy did it at school,” Lance continued. “Our dads helped Jason buy more tires. We wanted to, but were just starting to mow yards.”
Lance didn’t see Jennifer’s lip twitch into a snarl as he rolled on. “So, Ian and I talked about it and agreed, Harry was too stupid for another deed and we were scared he would try to hurt Jason. Harry is the type that would jump you from behind and was just as big as Jason, so we decided to show him what that was like.”
Giving Lilly a smile, “It was hard, but we kept an eye on Harry to learn his routine. That was our first remote camera we used with a cellphone. We waited till Jason went out of town to LSU to tour the campus. Harry lived like fifteen miles away, so we waited for Mom and Dad to go to sleep that night and snuck out. We hopped on our bikes and rode across town. Packing up the cameras we had around his house, we hid and waited. It was two a.m. when Harry’s drunk ass pulled into his driveway,” Lance paused as the smile turned somewhat malevolent.
“Two people charged out of the darkness with baseball bats. One hit Harry across the back of the head and the other cracked his left knee. When Harry hit the ground, the swings never stopped. Harry wouldn’t stop passing out, but a swing to the jewels always woke him right back up.”
Throwing his head back laughing, “Rolling his big ass on his back felt like pushing a building,” Ian laughed as Jennifer, in a catatonic state, stared at him.
Nodding in agreement, “Yeah, but after the third time he passed out, we just left him on his side and then turned our attention to his car,” Lance laughed. “We rolled his ass over one more time and told the dumb fuck if he ever came anywhere near Jason again, he would disappear. When he finally mumbled he understood, we smashed his face in and then we loaded up and pedaled our asses off, going home.”
“We had extra clothes,” Ian chimed in. “We changed, burned what we wore and the bats in a garbage can. It wasn’t till we got home we realized how much a person bleeds when you beat them with bats. We took showers, bagging the clothes we’d changed into. Before Lance’s dad got up for work, we scrubbed the bathtub and bathroom down and bagged the towels and rags we’d used. After Mr. Johnathan left, we snuck out and hid the bags. When the cops didn’t show up that morning, we took the bag into the woods and burnt it.”
Shaking his head, “Yeah, and you know Mom knew she was missing towels and rags?” Lance huffed out, throwing up his hands.
Somewhat guiltily, Ian turned to Lilly. “Yeah, we looked hard, but couldn’t find any that matched. We finally got the ladybugs to tell Momma Sandy they had gotten paint on them from their finger painting set and threw them away, afraid they would get in trouble. Momma Sandy didn’t even bat an eyelash, telling the girls it was okay,” Ian related in awe. “Those two can put the mojo on people.”
“Yeah, you remember that,” Lance snapped.
“Lance, you should be immune!” Ian shouted.
“Harry was in ICU for a month,” Jennifer whispered in shock.
Nodding, “Full body cast and jaw wired shut for another three months,” Lance nodded, and Jennifer jerked her eyes to him. “My dad operated on Harry taking his spleen out, and Ms. Penny’s daughter took care of Harry in the ICU.”
“Whoa,” Jennifer stumbled back. “That’s some Pulp Fiction shit right there.”
“Humph,” Ian scoffed. “Funny you should say that because we wanted to find some ‘hard pipe-hitting motherfuckers’, but we didn’t know what they were at the time. We asked Jason a few weeks later, but didn’t believe him.”
“So, we asked coach,” Lance chimed in with a shiver. “Just couldn’t believe ‘pipe hitter’ referred to a man raping another man.”
“Yeah, in Pulp Fiction, Marcus had every right to call some pipe hitters on those guys,” Ian shivered.
“Wait!” Jennifer shouted, throwing up her hands. “You were the ones who called 911 from the phone booth at the gas station?”
Not even surprised Jennifer knew that, “I’m sure if Harry would’ve died, the cops would’ve pushed the investigation harder,” Lance popped off. “Besides, we wanted him to know his ass was whooped and who fucking did it.”
For some reason, Lilly wasn’t shocked that neither showed fear about killing Harry. “But you broke the Prime Directive,” she said in a low voice, and they all looked at her.
“Yeah, but technically, we didn’t break the Prime Directive because the cops never even questioned us, much less charged us,” Lance challenged.
“My dad said the video from the gas station showed the caller was well over six foot and huge!” Jennifer shouted.
“Um, yeah, that was another reason we needed to change,” Lance admitted in a low voice.
Walking over, Lilly hugged Lance tight, “Thank you, I don’t have stories like that, but I’ll sit down and tell you everything about my life,” Lilly offered.
Hugging her back Lance stuttered, not knowing what to say and glanced over at Jennifer as she nodded at him with a big smile. “I would like that, Lilly,” Lance finally said, and Jennifer gave him a thumbs up. Feeling Lilly squeeze him tight, Lance mouthed ‘Thank you’ to Jennifer.
“What do you two need help on?” Lilly asked, letting the hug go. “And I know better than to ask to go with you, so what can we do?”
For some reason, that made Lance feel nervous. The way Lilly was looking at him, Lance felt she could see right through him. A small part of him liked it, the other part really didn’t. “Get Holly settled in and tell the others they have to help Holly on schoolwork each day,” Lance finally said. “Ian and I will make a run tonight to get the lay of the land and then let you know.”
Kissing Lance’s cheek, Lilly grabbed her rifle and headed out. Kissing Ian, Jennifer took off after Lilly. “Hold up,” Jennifer said, stopping Lilly outside the shop. “What has you unnerved?”
Not surprised that Jennifer could tell, “You don’t get it?” Lilly asked. Having no idea what Lilly was referring to, Jennifer just shook her head. “A deed is done from a distance, and I know they have watched some with their own eyes. Someone getting hurt or what happens to the target doesn’t determine what a deed is. They set it up to teach others, but aren’t doing the harm themselves. An exploit, they want to be hands on. They are smart enough to know, going hands on, there was more of a likelihood of getting caught. Then you look at the fact, they want the person to know it was them. Ian and Lance want to see the fear in their eyes. If I didn’t know Lance and Ian like I do, I would be worried both were borderline sociopaths.”
“Hold on, I’ve heard that on TV before,” Jennifer said, pinching her bottom lip.
“Personality disorder in extreme antisocial attitudes and behavior with a lack of conscience,” Lilly told her, and Jennifer jumped back.
“That’s not them,” Jennifer snapped.
Holding up her hands, “Jennifer, like I said, I know them, but they have no conscience for those they hurt and I’m talking about before this happened,” Lilly told her. “Their only concern was violating the Prime Directive, getting in trouble with the law because someone got hurt on what their parents called pranks.”
“Nobody ever proved it was them,” Jennifer spoke out. “And they are nothing like Dexter,” she added, and Lilly cocked her head to the side. “That’s where I heard sociopath.”
“The TV show?”
Nodding, “Yeah, they don’t keep trophies,” Jennifer nodded.
“Oh, like videos,” Lilly grinned, and Jennifer’s face went white. “No, I believe them. They admitted they had done deeds without recording them, but when someone was blamed for a deed, they changed. That is forethought on their part to protect an innocent, something a sociopath would never do. But it also shows they have a conscience of others outside their family. They went out of their way and risked getting caught to prove that kid was innocent.”
As Lilly spoke, Jennifer started grinning and was beaming when Lilly finished. “You don’t know how cool you just made them sound.”
“Yeah, I think you and I have a thing for hidden bad boys,” Lilly grinned.
