Episode 14: Infected

Contained here is a reading of Chapters one and two of Book Two of The Surviralist’s Series: Surviralist’s Birthright.

As of March 14, 2034, it has been estimated that approximately four million humans remained alive in what had been the United States of America – roughly the 2021 population of Los Angeles. How many remained alive as of 2045? Where were they hiding?

In between Canada and Mexico lay the skeletal remains of a once resource rich and beautiful nation. Who will rise to reclaim their birthright?

This interview was recorded on April 16, 2021 by Gayle Kimball for her radio show "Ask Dr, Gayle" on KZFR public radio in Chico, Ca,  She asks great questions that elicit answers about details of story and the motivation behind producing it.

“A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.”

-Ariel Durant (1944). “The Story of Civilization: Caesar and Christ, a history of Roman civilization and of Christianity from their beginnings to A.D. 325”

“But through eternal night, the twinkling of starlight so very far away, maybe it's only yesterday”

Zaeger and Evans. “In the Year 2525”

There is no turning back as they fight their way towards the final resolution. A battle at a bridge nearly finishes them, but then suddenly they find themselves blocked by an obstacle they never imagined. 

While Keisha and her boatmates choose to stay on the river, Sheila leads a convoy of massive farm vehicles for a hellish ride through the Sacramento Bypass. They find DELIVERANCE at the Deep-water Shipping Channel, is the name an omen or a cruel joke? 

Time is running out and their pursuers are becoming increasingly deadly. Even as they meet new allies, the loss of a beloved comrade makes some question their purpose.

 “To live without Hope is to Cease to live.”

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Heroism is still heroism even if no one is left to acknowledge or remember it. If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? We know in our hearts that the answer is yes.

“You know the problem with heroes and saints, Nikolai?” I asked as I closed the book’s cover and headed for the door. “They always end up dead.”

― Leigh Bardugo, Siege and Storm

With the PM searching closer and closer to the roundhouse, the family bugs-out sooner than expected. The river is their fastest route. Unfortunately, River Pirates act just like regular pirates, only on the river. 

An archipelago of resistance camps. Communication is vital. The grid is history. Tech is dead.   From Julius Caesar’s messages to Gaul, to WWII’s British Air Ministry, when the going got tough the War Pigeons got going. 

First it was just Will, alone. Hope gave purpose to Will’s existence. Providence led them to Laurel.

 The burned man meant to kill. Billy and Dusty betrayed them. Militia hunted them. Zekes wanted to eat them.

 Can they trust a jolly giant and his “family”?