Chapter Nine: Close Quarters — Part 1

“More like a pile, really.” Kevin says.

Joe and Blake are nearby, not saying anything, except perhaps to each other, their hands are moving fervently. Daria and Kevin are, at the moment, speechless. The building cannot be described as attractive by any stretch of the imagination. The massive structure is three stories jutting brutally into the air, and is physically the size of larger four by three condo unit. Its walls are made of interlocking slabs of green and gray tinted recycled concrete, and whatever compound is sealing them, it drifts in color between a pale almost pink and a definite mustard yellow. Its windows are set into holes produced into the concrete at its time of molding. The frame of the windows are dull gray metal inset with silicone molding so that the double panes of glass are not only air tight but vibration resistant. If it didn’t have two clones of it integrated into the structure, it would stand alone as the ugliest modern building ever constructed for human habitation.

“Yeah.” Jynx says in a hugely delayed response to Jude’s prior comment. “That is a lot of concrete.”

George explains the design, proud, apparently, of its most basic construction principles. “The slabs are custom molded for each building, and around two feet thick, reinforced with steel pipe that has been sealed against both the concrete and the elements, so it won’t rust. Each slab has been cut so it seats into the other slab, and the junctures are set on cement that is completely invisible from the outside. They are set and settle by their own pressure on silicone o-rings that start out nearly one inch thick before the pressure compresses them down to a half-inch by two-inch seam. The concrete exterior is sealed with a polymer starch that expands in response to water, filling in cracks when the concrete is wet, forcing the water to slide off the surface rather than work its way inward. The outer walls, therefore, are airtight and water proof. The internal walls are insulated and sealed like a normal home. Though it may look a little like a military fortification from the outside, from the inside it should feel homey enough — especially on the porch side of the buildings, the side overseeing the Parkette.”

ChoCho is visibly shaking, whether from the pain of his foot or the effect of the horrific almost pine color of the building, he can’t be entirely certain. Jude has come out of his emotional stupor by the time George gets done trying to sell Jynx on the house. The short walk seems to have taken an eternity for Jynx, especially since they have left their truck behind, and the trailer even further behind that. Jynx stares at the building from the outside in a mix of awe and concern. Three buildings, each with three stories of housing, are separated by a walkway about fifteen feet at the ground level. A covered causeway sprouts out from the center of the middle floors, fully integrating the middle floor porches. The second floor of each building is further integrated with stairs along one side, allowing for easy access and egress from all floors of all buildings.

Where a fourth building could have been, the walkways open onto a small plot of land that George had lovingly called the Parkette. It is actually very much park-like in nature, too big, technically, to be called a yard, but much smaller than most parks Jynx was familiar with. The area is fenced in from the outside, and the walls are covered in ivy. A path set in stone meanders through once cultured vegetation that has gotten a little wild. Jynx can see a few oddly placed trees and various other plants arranged around a couple of benches and a porch through the iron gating that George has started to walk toward and is opening.

“Now the other two buildings are unoccupied, and from what we can tell by the damage done to their support struts in the storm, unlivable at this time. If we find them completely irreparable, we will be taking them down, and possibly setting up greenhouses out over the old foundations, within the next few months.” George says.

Entire concrete sections of the other two buildings have been blown from their main struts, and though they have been moved so that they don’t cover doors to the surviving building, it is apparent that George is not misleading them about their general need for inspection and repair. George guides them to one building, set south of the Parkette. They enter the southern side, moving up and down the floors not as a team, but as separate individuals, making personal assessments, then returning to the main floor to address their concerns and make final decisions. Each floor has three separate living areas with four bedrooms, a shared common kitchen and bathroom, and each building is capable of supporting three families of five. Solar panels on the roof are more high tech than any Jynx has ever seen, and even though it is cloudy out, there is a charge showing on an analog meter set next to a breaker box set near the kitchen. When Daria flips a switch, the first floor kitchen lights up. The building looks like it has never been lived in, like it had been, until their arrival, waiting patiently for its owners.

Jynx does quick space calculations. “We’ll need a lot of room for supplies, and the bulk of them need to be on the bottom floor. We need to get into town, change the dead bolts on all the doors.”

“You’re thinking that this building will be hard to defend should the natives prove ambitious.” Daria says.

Jynx speaks frankly for a moment, ignoring the existence of Jude and George. “I’m thinking that George and the natives are ill prepared for possible confrontations with hungry monsters. And Arpie sure as hell isn’t capable of keeping them in check.”

Joe and Blake have scoped out the entire building from top to bottom, checking power requirements and structural issues. Blake is the keenest, always close to Joe’s left elbow, never talking, always observant, is writing copious notes in a small notepad. Kevin, working alone, is making notes on volume and space. Jon and Teri have claimed a living area for themselves, and are already setting up the basic comforts of home. When the inspection is complete, Kevin and Joe step in front of Daria and Jynx. While Joe is relaxed, in what passes for a civilian’s half-assed attempt at caring about looking somewhat professional, Kevin comes to attention with a snap, his salute as keen and orderly as a troop fresh out of basic training. Pulling Blake’s notebook from his pocket, Kevin’s eyes glance across the notes as he talks.

“Commanders. First observation of floor structural integrity shows that we are well situated for the storage of all materials, with four rooms for sleep in reserve. My recommendation is that we use the cargo elevator to move the stock in five hundred pound increments to the top floor, and fill in from the top to bottom. Joe feels it will give us the best defense against spoilage or pillage. Joe has expressed concern about structural integrity, but Blake assures us that the floor structure can handle the tonnage.”

Jynx puts out her hand, and Kevin places the notes in it. She reads over his rather sloppy writing for a moment, then studies Blake’s precise writing from the second notebook. Carefully, she begins writing a series of notes in each book. Kevin can only see the last of what has been written for Joe and Blake. Once these tasks are completed, please destroy these notes. Jynx hands this note to Joe, who folds the note without reading it, placing it into his pocket. The two share the slightest hint of a smile, then Jynx is talking again.

“We can’t bring the trailer this far onto the compound, so start consolidating the supplies into the trucks and get those supplies into the building. We’ve decided to settle, so we might as well centralize and fortify our position.” Jynx writes a second note and hands it to Kevin that says Do whatever tasks Joe requires of you.

“I’m trusting you on this one, Pirate.” Daria says, once Jynx is done handing them their notes. “Don’t fuck it up.”

Joe smiles deviously. “Of course, Milady.” He says, walking away with a rather sturdy stride.

“When have I ever been a lady to you?” Daria wonders, once she knows Joe is out of earshot.