Code Zulu Alpha: Nerd in the Apocalypse!

Looking at the bolt-action rifle on the case with a carbon fiber reinforced polymer stock, a user-interchangeable 24-inch barrel, a 5-26x56mm scope, an adjustable cheek riser and buttstock, a bipod, a sling, a suppressor, and etc., I remembered our little discussion yesterday.

We briefly talked about teaching a long shooting class and we discussed rifle calibers.

"It's chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, take care of it. That's the gun I easily hit 700 yards with. Well, I had a great spotter but that's my best record." Matthew said with a solemn look.

It was a Daniel Defense Delta 5 and from the looks of it, it was barely used.

"Dad..." Kaley was smiling brightly.

"You're still hiding a few guns in your RV, eh?" I chuckled.

"Heh, you know how it is about buying new rifles. We'd need a place to hide it from our wives." Oscar chuckled.

"That's too fucking real bud." Johnny added.

"Hmm, I still have my M70 so I'll stick with it. I just bought that a few years back but I rarely used it. I'll say that it's definitely better than my M70 but I'm more experienced with my M70 and .308 rounds." Matthew said, scratching his head.

"Also, correct me if I'm wrong, it's not your style, heh." I commented.

"Hmm, that too." Matthew chuckled.

"I first thought you got this from Oscar, all of your guns have wood stocks." I replied.

"Heh, I have one of those but it's chambered in .308 as well." Oscar chimed.

"You know what's funny?" I told them.

"Hmm?" the three said at the same time.

"I have the exact same rifle as this but it has seen a lot of action. I have a better scope but everything done to this thing was almost the exact same." I said.

"What?!" Matthew didn't know how to react.

"It's okay, no worries. It's a fucking Daniel Defense for fuck's sake. I know how fucking expensive this thing is. I need another bolt-action to teach Kaley and here we are. Thank you for this." I calmed him down.

"It's like- nevermind. I'm glad you liked it and it goes towards teaching Kaley. It's a win-win situation for me." Matthew raised his hands helplessly.

I closed the cases and I thanked the three old-timers again.

"So kid, now that we know that you're planning to do something instead of holing up in your room, just stay in our place and double-check on a few things you've assigned to other people. See if they're slacking on the job or might have missed something." Oscar said.

"But-" I was cut off.

"It's just for a fucking day! Tatiana could lead your group for this day while you do your thing here." Oscar said with a strict tone.

"That would be a great idea." Rin interjected.

"How so?" I was still trying to go outside.

"Well, you asked Raphael to make a few compartments on his Raptor and Tatiana's HUMVEE. They can't necessarily do it without those two being here, right?" Rin replied.

"They can do it when we get back, right?" I was grasping for straws.

"I heard Anthony could install an AC to Tatiana's HUMVEE, you know how hot it gets inside it, right?" Kaley interjected.

"I'm used to it but it would be nice to have an AC installed." Tatiana chuckled.

"We could use the other Raptor!" I retorted.

"Seriously? It needs a bit more oomph for our standards! It needs to have the same attachments we have for Raphael's Raptor before we could let a group use it solo outside! Besides, we'd use that as a reference for the other one so the job could be easier!" Oscar added.

"I see what's going on, you're all just trying to keep me inside here, eh?" I understood what they were trying to do for me so I acted like I was being held against my will. Well, they've made good points and they decided to pile on a few more.

"Well, you caught on easily, heh." Johnny smiled.

"Okay, what else needs to be done around the place? Throwing me anywhere could bump their output by several times." I gave up trying to convince them.

"Umm, I helped Charlotte and the others with canning the radishes but there's still a few more. I said I'd get to it but I would be going with Allan and Jenny again." Cynthia chimed.

"Also, we still have a lot of empty mason jars and it would be nice if we could fill them all." Rin said.

"I thought we gave a few to Borris?" Kaley asked.

"There's still a lot. You guys found several pallets worth in the factories." Rin replied.

"Why are you guys so concerned about food? Wait- nevermind..." Tatiana scratched her head, embarrassingly.

"Hmm, if we're talking about food, we'd need to make the ultimate survival food. Something that could last years and still be good. We still have a lot of cured meat from Batangas and we could use several pounds of those." I was in deep thought.

"Ultimate food? Is there such a thing?" Kaley grew curious.

"Pemmican." I replied with a smile.

"What?" the girls were confused while the old-timers knew what I was talking about.

"Kid! I don't want to be in the hospital for a couple of weeks again!" Oscar bellowed before I got the chance to say anything.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Matthew was confused.

"Well, Oscar made his own back then and he stored them incorrectly. I told him to put it in the basement where it's cool and dry but he placed it where it was getting direct sunlight and oxygen. It's pretty self-explanatory to say what happened because of that. I never got to make more because he kept on stopping me." I explained.

"Wait, but what is it?" Kaley asked again.

"It's the ultimate sur- Ow! Kaley!" Kaley bonked me.

"We heard you the first time!" Kaley exclaimed.

"Okay, to give a little introduction, Pemmican is something created by the Native Americans. Everyone calls it the survival food because if you make and store it correctly, it could last decades without spoiling." I started.

"Really?" Cynthia's interest was piqued as well.

"Yeah, I was planning to make a lot of it before but I never had the time. I have a few containers of them stored but it's all the spicy ones. Anyway, Pemmican is really easy to make and transport and it was even adopted by Europeans and merchants back in the day." I explained.

"What is it made of? Fish or something? Rabbits? We could make a lot if we're using those, correct?" Tatiana asked, intrigued.

"Oh, not exactly. It's because rabbits and fish are too lean We need meat with a little more fat in them. Pemmican actually stemmed from the word fat or grease in a different language. They used to make it with venison, elk, or even moose but we could use beef just as easily. Luckily we have a lot of dried beef so the drying process is already done for us." I replied.

"Like beef jerky then?" Kaley asked.

"Eh~ not exactly. Let's stop talking about it and just help me prepare the ingredients we needed before making them." I replied, standing up to stretch.

"What do we need then?" Rin chimed, getting up as well.

"Since I've made a few spicy ones already, let's make a few sweet and tangy ones. I already have the cooking equipment here so I'll only need the ingredients. I'll need several pounds of dried meat, dried blueberries, dried cranberries, almonds, walnuts, and honey." I started.

"Heck, you're cooking already kid? I was thinking you should take a break but I think this thing could still take a toll on ya if you do it all day." Oscar reminded me.

"Cooking? Hell no. I could cook all day without a sweat. Did you forget how much cooking relaxes me?" I chuckled.

"Well, shit. I guess I'll bring Jared and the others with me. For once I could bark orders from the 'elites' heh." Oscar excused himself.

"I'll come with you then." Matthew caught up to him and Oscar nodded.

"I'll pay a visit to the DDR Camp to check on a few things. I'll stop by at Ken's room to be another set of eyes on the cameras." Johnny said, getting up as well.

"Okay, thanks for the guns again! I'll make sure that they'll be put to good use!" I shouted so they three old-timers could hear me.

They went their own way while Rin and Tatiana have gone to the basement to check on the ingredients that I asked for. Cynthia was taking all the cups and plates to the sink so Kaley could wash them.

"You really know a lot about stuff don't you?" Cynthia was wiping the table the kids used.

"And he could cook as well." Kaley added.

"Heh, did you two forget I promised to read a lot and get good at cooking? I never break my promises." I faintly smiled.

It didn't take too long for Rin and Tatiana to come back with baskets full of the ingredients I requested for. I preheated the oven while Rin was organizing the packets and the bottles neatly on the table. I asked Kaley to bring out the knives I own while I asked Cynthia to bring out the food processor and a few bowls.

"You four are really gonna help me with everything eh?" I commented.

"Obviously." they all answered.

"Okay, here's the first thing to do." I said as I placed the cured meats in front of us.