Chapter 10 - Knowledge is Power

“In a time of turbulence and change, it is more true than ever that knowledge is power.”

John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1917-1963

Jack said, “What the hell is that?”

Len got out of the car and ran towards his Rover. Jack watched Len rummage around inside the car and come out with a backpack and rifle thrown over his shoulder. Len ran back towards Jack’s Hummer, opened up the back window, and threw both the gun and backpack into the rear of the vehicle.

“What the hell. Why aren’t you taking your car home?”

Len went around the car and got in the passenger side, slamming the door behind him.

“Let’s go Jack. Get the hell out of here.”

“You think that siren is real?”

Len slumped into a heap with his head between his knees crying. “Come on Len, talk to me. Are we in a survival situation?”

Len answered in a muffled sob. “I think so. It’s New Year’s day and that siren shouldn’t have gone off this morning.”

The Hummer topped Baranca Mesa onto Rendija Drive when Jack looked over at Len again. He was looking at a man who in no way resembled the fellow of a moment before with his head between his knees. Len was back. The strength and conviction were in his bearing. Jack had followed Len through life because of this quality.

“That’s more like it. What the hell happened to you?”

“Turn on the radio, will you Jack?”

“...Please stay tuned to this radio station for further announcements. Do not go outside. We repeat, do not go outside...”

“Jack, listen to me. We’ve got to keep on going. We can’t stop at my house or your house or anyone’s house. We need to take that back road behind the Valle Grande until we can go no further. From there we need to hike in to Dead Man’s Cave.”

“...We repeat, a huge explosion, possibly nuclear, has just destroyed the center of Chicago...”

“Christ Len, did you hear that. My mom and dad live outside of Chicago. Do you think Los Alamos is next? What about Maria and the kids?”

“They’ll be much safer in the nuclear shelters than with us, if it comes to that. I’m worried they’ll be looking for me next. I don’t think Maria and the kids could make the hike in this snow, regardless. For now, we’ve got to get out of here.”

“What do you mean you think they’ll be looking for you next? That’s crazy. Unless, you think it’s some well organized terrorist plot.” Len shook his head in assent.

“O.K. I know you well enough to know you have your reasons. Let’s do it.”

Jack drove straight on Rendija Road into the canyon. They started down a very steep hill cut 20 feet through tufa mesa tops. Snow was plowed in piles 10 feet high on either side of their descent.

Jack looked out his window as the terrain slid by. He thought of the memories of this canyon as a child. To their right was the canyon they had played in most often. He and Len had built a fort dug into the ground under a rock embankment just below the trail that was barely visible from here. A road sign indicated a severe dip in the road ahead. Jack ignored it and let the Hummer run out in third at 45 mph. Len hit his head on the roll bar that crossed just behind their seats.

“Thanks a lot Jack. No need to leave town, maybe you can finish me off before the gun club.”
 “Don’t mention it. Oh, you might want to put on your seat belt. Hey look, there’s the cliff where you found the Tyrannosaurus Rex bones.”

“Yeah, you sure thought that’s what they were. Didn’t you spend two hours booby trapping the bones while we went to get something to carry them out?”

Len laughed for the first time since Jack had picked him up. Behind the laugh was a deep sorrow. Jack knew his friend well. Something was sorely amiss. They passed the old gun club just south of Guaje Mountain. They had spent many a year hunting jack rabbits on that mesa top. Jack gunned the Hummer up to 65 mph. Len pretended a bored yawn. Jacked increased the speed to 75. They were definitely driving beyond the conditions. Two miles ahead was the jump. At 75 they would fly 40 feet before touching ground. Right after touching they would have to negotiate a 40 degree turn around a cliff face that bordered an arroyo. A mistake would cost them an hour with the wench. Both had done it a hundred times throughout their lives. Jack negotiated the jump with ease sliding around the corner at 55. Len had his head out the window sucking 18 degree air into his lungs. The day was definitely starting to pick up.