"Yes, that's fresh clean water." I waved them over to the outflow trough. "This is the overflow from our water production. We thought we might help turn this canyon into a lake or river one day."

They washed their hands and them moved a bit upstream to drink. Ha, not their first rodeo. I watched them enjoy it. To them this was a treasure.

"Now that you know how to find our home, I ask that you not go up the mountain. We have powerful automated defenses, and I'd like us to all stay friendly, okay."

"You have our thanks and our word." Amanda said it like a custom.

"But wait! There's more." I pulled one of the backpack full of fruit, "Act now, and I'll give you this pack of fresh fruit."

Sally practically ripped the pack out of my hands. She had it open in no time, and was rooting through it.

"What is this? I've never seen fruit like this." She looked up at me like I was tricking her.

Pulling another pack, I grabbed a fruit a golden orange. Started peeling it. "We have experimented a bit, but you'll find they're healthy and filling. Added bonus they last longer than normal fruit as well."

"Why would you give us this." She actually looked conflicted. I was kind of disappointed. But they had probably been burned before.

"Because I like to share with my friends. And I'd like you to be my friends." A took a bite. Juicy.

"Hell, I'll be your friend, kid. " The older guy spoke up, "I'm Nolan by the way." He gave a jaunty wave.

Sally looked sheepish, "Sorry, free usually isn't free."

"I get you. Look at it this way, I'm buying goodwill. Trying to smooth the way for the more tricky stuff down the road." I gave her a wink.

She gave a smirk in return, "Alright. Mr. Goodwill. I'll see how you behave later." She cocked her hip at me and raised her eyebrow. A challenge? I was certainly interested in finding out.

"Let's take it slow for now." Amanda said it sternly, but with a huge smile. She also did the hand on the hip thing. Okay, maybe I don't know what that means. I had flunked reading girls my whole life.

"Anyway, I have lumber, and every few weeks, I'll have more. Obviously we can't be selling all of it in NC, we'll flood the market in a couple of months. I have no real connections in the greater nation, or the world. So I turn to you, the friendliest option I've met thus far. Later we can even expand to some of our other projects, The alloy you see here in my weapons, and my Pr-Drones. You'll find it is quite unique." That was perhaps the longest single thing I'd said since I got here, it hurt my throat a bit.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

Amanda pondered my words. She pulled out a canteen, poured it out. Rinsed and then filled it in the stream. The other followed suit. Again there was the air of custom to it.

I was thinking I was an idiot for not getting canteens while I could. Let's just keep that off my face for now.

"We've been looking for steady work. And a safe place to camp. Our group is just one branch of the Aldecaldos, a family. We ride and die together. We remember our friends and bury our enemies. Help us and we will help you."

My smile must have looked truly brilliant. "If you know a place out here that fit your needs, not only can I make it safer. I can make it a home. I have been looking to expand, and help clean things up out here. We have a deal. And if everything works out, later I'll show you some tricks that will blow your minds."

I shook Amanda's hand firmly. "Let's get this lumber loaded. What's the current market value of wood anyway?"

Without missing a beat Sally chimed in, "$125 an ounce."

I ran the numbers, "About 1.5 million or more right here. What can we realistically unload it at?"

Sally laughed, "About $70 an ounce. The Fixer will want a decent profit."

"So about 800 grand to split. A bit over 300 grand for your folks. That a good haul for you?"

"That's six months of supplies and parts." Amanda looked pleased. "We finish this deal and then we see about expanding our relationship."

We started loading the 4X4s onto the flatbed, then covered the pile with a couple of tarps before cinching it all down with ratchet straps.

Amanda set our order. Her then me, then Nolan and Sally would bring up the rear.

We headed out and took our time. Everything was smooth until we got to the main freeway and turned west.

Other then being scouted by a few messed up vehicles in the distance, nothing seemed off.

We pulled into a garage. DaKota. I had walked by it... how long had it been now? 10 days? It seemed abandoned at the time. Still seemed that way now.

But then the garage roll doors opened up and a few people came out.

While Nolan backed the trailer into one of the garage bays, Amanda introduced me to Dakota herself. They hugged.

I got, "You remind me of a prairie dog I saw once, it lead me to a cache of weapons. That was a good day." After she had stared at me for almost a full minute. Real character this one.

Sally walked up with, "You should let him heal you. It'll feel great." She really wasn't going to let that part go. Shame it doesn't seem to do that for me.

Nolan with the help of two hard looking guys was unhooking the trailer.

"Maybe another time, Medicine Man." Dakota went back in the garage.

"She said it will take a few days to move it all, so money will be coming in then." Amanda sticking to the practical. "In the meantime, why don't you come to the camp. Tomorrow we can show you a place we have been scouting out for a new site."

"You can meet everyone, and maybe we can have some fun." Sally slapped me on the shoulder, it stung. Oh yeah, cyberarms.

A few minutes later we were headed south.