Charlie and Juan, the village cooks, moved randomly from stovetop, to ovens, to countertop, giving orders, making suggestions, tasting, stirring, arranging. You would think the Queen Mother was going to be the guest of honor. Charlie and Juan saw Chris and Marie at the same moment and, like moths racing to a flame, came dashing toward the women.

With a frenzy Charlie began speaking long before he was close enough to be understood. His deep, strong voice comsumed the lessor noise of the room, "Oh, is it time? We're not ready, the eggs aren't in, there's no deer or elk yet.” His arms raised as if in total exasperation he boomed, “We need thirty minutes!"

Chris, her voice soft and reassuring tried to calm him, "It's OK, Charlie,” patting his arm softly, “no hurry. Thirty minutes is fine.” And with a little laugh added, “In fact, it's probably perfect. Betts will be here soon, so don't worry about the deer and elk. Now, what would you like us to do to help?"

Standing noticeably straighter and heaving a great sigh, Charlie practically kissed them. His voice less strained and with a tiny but audible sigh he added, "That sounds good! How about garnishes?" Holding up his hands as if showing off a new pair of gloves, “these mighty slabs can’t seem to get the pretty part to look pretty,” his deep infectious, hearty laugh filled the room.

He talked and answered himself while he ushered them to the area where the prepared dishes were waiting to be dressed for presentation. His big hands slapped bunches of parsley, cilantro, and other herbs toward them, turned quickly and with more orders spouting from his mouth tromped off, Juan on his heels. Looking at each other as they held the bouquets of herbs, the women broke into laughter and busied themselves with the artistic final touches on the prepared breakfast dishes.

Charlie, huge at 6'4" and 350 lbs. was quite formidable to encounter in the kitchen or in the woods, but quickly discovered to be a gentle giant in safe surroundings. He was clearly at home in a white coat with a spatula and pan in his hands or dressed in fatigues and carrying an automatic weapon. In charge of the kitchen for nearly seven years, he had watched the community grow, not necessarily in girth but by number. When Charlie first arrived he alone had cooked for the twenty-eight people in residence. Today he would feed just over 200. He had been a godsend, and everyone was grateful for his talent, his easy-going manner, and delightful personality. He and a couple of helpers had been alone in the kitchen until Juan and his wife asked to move to the upper valley some five years ago.

Juan, though not a small man, appeared dwarfed by Charlie. He always seemed to have a smile and a devilish twinkle in his richly dark brown eyes. He loved to tease his co-workers, especially Charlie who fell for all Juan’s antics. His hair, thick and midnight black grew to the center of his back. He kept it either braided or pulled back and tied with a leather thong at the nape of his neck. Quick and agile in the woods or in the kitchen Juan could finish a project before anyone else was ready to start. Bi-lingual, he and his wife Maria taught the Spanish class at the school. As a talented singer and story teller he often accompanied himself on the guitar and entertained anyone who cared to listen. When the weather was good he was some times found under a tree and in winter the library became is theater.

Since Juan’s arrival in the valley he and Charlie had become great friends and ran a well-oiled kitchen. Every meal planned with their expertise used the available seasonal crops and stored foods proficiently. Under their watchful eyes, meals were lovingly prepared by a rotating supporting staff.

As a result of their diligent work, the dining room had become the village meeting place, a restaurant of sorts. Folks tended to gather there for coffee, tea, chatter, and camaraderie. Well prepared, healthful, relaxing meals were available for everyone at any time but this had not always been the case, it evolved. It had all begun with lunch for the school children and grew to include everyone. Now, most of the village residents started their day there with breakfast, gathered for lunch, and again later in the day for dinner.

Mealtime was a favored time for families to share quality moments together either in the dining room or in their homes. On weekends many families prepared meals at home, preserving old family recipes and traditions. Leftovers were always available in the main kitchen to be taken home for munching and bedtime snacks. Because many tasks required twenty-four hour shifts, meals were available in the kitchen around the clock. It was quite clear that if there was one thing this village had in abundance, it was food.

Thanks to Ann and Charlie the system worked, the community was well fed, physically healthy and emotionally bonded.

"Did you get your usual peek at the food and medicine packs the other day, Chris?" Marie asked, as she pulled some parsley from the bunch and placed it on a platter of fruit.

"I did, yes.” She replied absently working, “Ann and I met with Missy, Clair, Randy, and David. We checked the food lists, the medicine bags, and first aid kits and went over the computer codes, radio channels, the weapons and ammo.” She sliced an orange very thinly, dipped the slices in sugar, twisted them and arranged them neatly on the platter of sausages as she talked, “They did very well with their supplies. Of course, they thought we wanted them to take too much,” laughing lightly she continued, “and rather politely reminded us they could have stayed out two more months with the food they brought back last year.” She pushed the finished platter toward Ann for the parsley and paprika garnish as she continued, “And, equally politely of course, we reminded them that the year before they were without food and foraging their last three days.” Smiling brightly she added, “So, it was a stand-off but they finally agreed to pack a little extra.” Lowering her voice to almost a whisper and grinning broadly, her deep azure eyes twinkling she said, “I think the agreement came just to keep the old women happy.” They both laughed knowing this had been a ploy they had used very successfully for the last few years.

Chris, turning to a more serious matter her voice softened, “They're taking one of the guns David reworked, the gattlings they modified to lasers.” She chopped some cilantro and sprinkled it over the sliced tomatoes, popped a few leaves in her mouth and savored the flavor. “Randy said it worked perfectly and if David had engineered it during World War II, that war would have been over on the seventh day! They're excited about it.” Shaking her head slowly as if not clearly understanding she continued, “I didn't see its unveiling, but I heard it was something."

"I saw the test, and it was something.” Marie answered as she crushed rosemary with the broad side of a cleaver, “They were all excited, the testosterone was flying that day!” She winked and laughed as she continued, “and it's nothing like the guns from those old war movies. Remember that movie, "The Guns of Navarone," and those enormous guns they had in the cave? From listening to their conversations I thought it would be like that; well, it isn't. It's almost sinister, and far more destructive than I ever imagined and minute in comparison -- it's so small, even you or I could easily carry it, and it's nearly silent.” Her voice, tinged with awe, reflected the astonishing and fearful sight her eyes had seen. She continued, “It was eerie it was so silent. I don't know what David did, but with two very tiny pings it totally destroyed what was left of the old magnesium plant down in Addison.” Her voice reflected the incredible experience and she added. It reduced every brick to sand -- sand you could sift through your fingers. I guess they won't be reviving that place when this is over.” Her voice dropped, ebbed with fear she continued. “Do you know if they are they leaving the other three here?" She sprinkled the rosemary over the roasted potatoes and slid the dish toward Chris.

"No, not really. TJ said they would be leaving two here and dropping off one in Colevale to help protect their east entrance. Apparently most of their trouble comes from that entrance. He said the north and east entrances were the two most defended areas last spring and summer.” Shaking her head and feeling the sadness creep in she continued. “They have so few defenders now Tom decided they could use some help, at least on the east side, they will put double protection there for the winter. They’re hope it will deter some of the food and medical raids this year. The one they're leaving here is at the north end of the valley where the flooding was this spring. TJ and Tom think that's our most vulnerable entry point. They're going to move the security offices to that side of the valley before it snows. I understand that Dennis and Tom’s reconstruction plan for that area is nearly completed.”

A sudden thought sparked a change in her voice, “Speaking of Tom, I'm surprised he and Paul missed the celebration last night. I expected them back before the kids left. I'm not happy about this journey beginning without the surveillance report. Do you suppose they may fly in yet this morning?"

"They had some delay, but I think they're due to arrive any time,” Marie said. Wiping her fingers on a towel she continued, “Betts said they radioed yesterday and assured her they would be back before breakfast.” Glancing around the kitchen Maries eyes widened, "Look at that pan of sausage gravy, there's enough there to feed the travelers breakfast for a month.” Absently she add, “ I hope the repairs on the fridge in that bus hold up.” She placed the last platter on the cart, and with a little giggle added, “We could fill it with leftover sausage gravy."

Catching a flash from the corner of her eye, Marie glanced out the window. Four lights were bobbing their way through the meadow. "Better call Ann, Chris. I see lights coming across the square from the warehouse."