CASCADE - Chapter 10

Holler

March 16, 2023

HOLLER

Colvin stood in front of the cabin with a red bull in his hand. He looked out over the holler. Hearing a snap, he turned to see two deer walk out into a clearing. They stopped and stared back at him. For that brief moment, he was transported back to the summer he had spent at this same cabin with Asher and Clay.

“Hey, brother,”

Asher grinned, “Hey.”

Asher looked into the woods and asked, “You thinking of going into the Army?”

“Yes,” Colvin replied.

“Why?” Asher questioned. “The money is good at the mine. We could make a good living just like Pa and Grandpa.”

Colvin turned and faced Asher, saying, “What did it get them? Pa ran as fast and far as possible from the mining life, and Grandpa died at Buffalo Creek.”

“But things have changed,” Asher retorted. Asher looked down apologetically, “All I’m saying is that we could make some real money. God knows Mama needs it. She looked after us all our lives. I want to do something for her.”

Colvin smiled, chuckling, “You’re a good boy, Asher. You’re my favorite brother.”

Asher used his hat to swat Colvin’s shoulder, “I’m your only brother.”

The door creaked behind Colvin. The deer, startled by the noise, darted and disappeared into the woods.”

Clay stepped out, grabbing his head and groaning, “I need an aspirin and a beer. I haven’t drunk like that in a long time.”

“There’s aspirin in the glove box and a Red Bull in the back of the cab.”

Later that morning, Colvin pointed at a tall cedar tree about one hundred yards away on a hill. “That is where we’ll place the directional antenna. We can keep enough cable for the cabin and lay the cable while we walk up the hill.”

Colvin turned to Clay and directed, “Grab the cable, and I’ll find a pole in the shed.”

Clay brought the cable roll after leaving about fifty feet by the cabin. Taking the pole, they each inserted it through the center of the rolled cable. They tied the cable off to the porch, grabbed one end of the pole, and started walking. Leaving a trail of cable behind them, they walked up the hill. Stopping at the crest, Colvin pointed out a giant cedar. Clay tied one cable end to his belt, grabbed the antenna, and started up the tree.

Colvin looked up, shaded his eyes, and shouted, “It’s a directional antenna, so once you reach the top, look to the northeast. You should be able to see the cell tower.”

When Clay reached the top, he shouted, “I got it!”

“Good!” Colvin shouted back.

Clay secured the antenna with the metal strapping attached. He directed the antenna at the cell tower and carefully descended.

“That should work,” Colvin speculated.

“I sure hope so. I’m too old to be climbing trees.”

Back at the cabin, they quickly attached the coaxial cable to the signal booster and the indoor antenna. Colvin turned on the computer and said, “The moment of truth.”

Colvin and Clay stared at the screen. The home screen popped up. Clinking on the browser, the screen changed, “We are in business,” Clay said emphatically.

Colvin and Clay sat at the table in the cabin. Colvin showed concern, “When I went into town for supplies, I overheard two ladies talking about the fire. When I moved closer, one said she talked with the sheriff, and he told her the FBI searched the burned debris.”

Clay sighed, “Oh, shit. Are they still snooping around?”

“I don’t think so.” Colvin took a sip of beer and set down the can. “One said they were asking folks questions but left just as quickly as they had arrived. They have nothing. The fire destroyed the laptop, and we paid cash to the landlord.”

Contemplating the situation, Clay pinched two fingers at the bridge of his nose and affirmed, “All right, but feds are like mice. If you see one, it isn’t long before you start seeing more.”

Colvin opened another beer, looked at Clay, and pointed at him with the beer in his hand. He felt reassured, “Even if they get on to us, Clay, they don’t know where we are. They would never come out to this holler.” Laughing, he admitted, “Hell, I get lost half the damn time I come out here.”

Colvin looked at the computer screen and remarked, “Take a look at this, Clay.” He pointed to the article headline on the monitor, “Blackout in three states: Cyber terrorism suspected.” Colvin chuckles, “They don’t know. That was just a test.” He questioned, “Is that backdoor still open?”

“Yes, but I’m considering using the front door next time.”

“Either way, we are going to accelerate this. Twist the knife, so to speak.”

Clay lit a cigarette and inhaled, exhaling the smoke made a cloud that lifted to the ceiling. Clay warned, “We must act fast, Colvin, because they will find it and close both those doors.”

“Maybe, but our next surprise will not be as easy to stop. Now let’s see if you can still log in.”

Clay turned the computer to face him. The cigarette dangled from his mouth as he typed:

NMC Hydroelectric Dam login.

Username: panders2

Password: @qwe#Asd!

The screen changed to the welcome page, Welcome, Paul Anders.