1-12 The Choice (Remastered)

[00:00:00] She started her day at home in the mountains just like any other. There was nothing unusual about making the familiar drive down to Sacramento to go to work. Then, in a flash, Mother Nature decided it was time to create a new landscape.

[00:00:17] Follow the journey of a dynamic young woman, mother and wife, Erica, as she is thrust into a world turned upside down by a series of natural disasters. Embark on a gripping journey with Erica in Sarah F. Hathaway's Day After Disaster.

[00:00:35] The fires are burning everything. Where did they go? It's gotta be along here. Two guards down with arrows in them. Looks like Vince and Greg were here. Stop right there, whoever you are.

[00:01:21] Nice kick. You're quick. But now you lost your gun. So did you, Steve. You know my name. I've had my eyes on you. Smart, too. You wanna play? You're gonna pay for that, little girl.

[00:02:08] Haven't been captured yet? No, but... But what? I want them dead. Look here. My little pet is starting to wake up. No, stupid. I've been waiting for too long to kill her quickly. I'm gonna have some fun with this whore before she dies. Little girl. You awake? That's right. Open those swollen eyes. You can do it.

[00:02:44] Happy to see me? Where am I? You're in my world now, little girl. You don't know how much I've longed for you to be sitting right there in that chair. You put on quite a show down there at the river. It was supposed to be an easy in and out, but no. You organized a resistance. That was a nice touch, the exploding bridge. My brother died on that bridge. Oops.

[00:03:15] The horse was a great touch. Very nostalgic. But very traceable. I followed your tracks back. To that junk of a barn. And I took vengeance on those people. I should have killed them. But I knew you would come to rescue them. Somehow, I knew. If I set it up just right, you would come to rescue them. And here you are. How lucky for me. Fuck you and your dead brother.

[00:03:48] Knock it off, stupid. I told you I was savoring this. Get over to the supply room and kill those bastards now. Before that mountain of yours got you into trouble. Oh yeah. I was telling you all about how you led me straight to that beautiful cash of supplies. So my little pet. What's your name? Screw you.

[00:04:18] That can be arranged. Well, look at you. Those scars run all over your body. What the hell happened to you? I made it out of Sacramento. You did what? Nobody made it out of there. We looked for survivors. All we found were bodies. Lucky for me. You know, you really should control that mouth of yours. I don't care if you made it through the gates of hell itself. There's plenty that can be done with you. Nothing's really damaged here.

[00:04:53] You are a spirited one. I have to give you that. You're making this fun. Where are you looking with that puffy face? You think those fighters out there are going to save you? We're going to kill them all, sweetheart. No one is coming to save you. So you escaped the sludge somehow, but obviously not escaped. Yes. And those people you took vengeance on? Those wonderful people? They saved me.

[00:05:22] They found me and rescued me. They helped me so I could get back to my family. Back to your family? And were they alive? No. They were dead. Even my baby boy.

[00:06:06] You know what I think? I think you're lying. You're a monster. You ain't seen nothing yet.

[00:06:39] Teresa, go to your room. TJ, sit down. Yes, sir, Mr. Lee. What's the problem, Mr. Lee? What's the problem? You go and pull a stunt like that and don't come and see me first? I was hungry. I was hungry. If Serge would have kept his big mouth shut. Serge came home to me first, like he's supposed to. I told you, I was hungry. You were hungry? I'm sorry, Mr. Lee.

[00:07:08] You're damn right you are. What did you think you were doing walking out in front of all those people with only two guards watching over you? No one is going to take me, Mr. Lee. Your damned arrogance will be the death of you. Put your hand on the table. Don't look at me like that. Who made the choice? I did, sir. Then put your hand on the table. Let the pain be a reminder, son. You come to me first. And when you go back, you take your whole army with you.

[00:07:37] Yes, sir, Mr. Lee. Beware of people, please. Please protect your equipment. Please protect your hand. After 4 times. That place is a dump. I'm surprised they have running water. Is that what would have happened to me if I was injured, Burgess? No, because I would take care of you myself. That's right. You're an illustrious landowner. What are you doing fighting with the refugees, Major?

[00:08:07] Nothing has changed, Monroe. The general himself would be classed as a refugee. Would he? Or would his rank spare him? This is all bull. Don't worry. General McClintock will set it all straight. Sir, I found his transport to the base. Sergeant, is that a new uniform? Looks nice. Real slick, Chappy. I wouldn't touch you with a 10-foot pole, Sergeant. I don't go for rednecks. Oh, burn.

[00:08:37] Tell it like it is, sister. Quit your jaw jacking and get your butts on the bus. Living in a dark cloud, it ain't sweet days. We fought. We were bound to make mistakes. It was always on fire. Oh, hi.

[00:09:23] Hi, this is Sarah F. Hathaway, the creator of the Changing Earth series and the voice of Erica Moore. Visit changeinearthseries.com to explore the novels behind the drama and the survival knowledge behind the stories. Join the Changing Earth membership program and get one week early access to the show. We appreciate you helping the Changing Earth world go round. Visit us at www.changingearthseries.com.

[00:09:49] That's www.changingearthseries.com. I'm not giving up. I'm not giving up. I gotta get out of here. My hands are tied to the chair. Maybe if I could just jump. I could jump. Maybe I could land on the back legs and break the legs.

[00:10:25] That was not good. Can't give up. Can't give up. Okay. I gotta get up. Run on my knees. Back. Here we go. One more time.

[00:10:48] The bend is mightier than the sword. Probably not in this case.

[00:11:19] Silk sheets on his nasty bed. I saw it off shotgun. This will do. This will not do. No ammo. I'm around here somewhere. There's gotta be one somewhere. One shell. It's better than nothing.

[00:11:53] I'll hide behind the door. And God willing. I might get the shot. So you stupid whore. Which one of these bastards is your husband?

[00:12:23] What the hell? You all right? I am. I am. What happened? It was Henry. Untie me. Didn't you see him? I'm out of ammo. I closed my eyes. I thought I was a goner for sure. Henry shot him. Go check on him. I'll get Greg.

[00:12:56] You saved me again. What were you thinking old man? Don't you cry for me. I wasn't gonna let you youngsters have all the glory. You just go on living. You youngsters are the only hope.

[00:13:27] Look. It's over. We won't.

[00:14:46] Why didn't you ask Sergei to come? Someone needed to stay in guard, Mr. Lee. Donner is there. Yuri, drop it. Sir. The people are assembled. Minimal resistance, sir. We have them round about. Does it get easier than that? You put the fear of the devil in them, DJ. That's what I do. They're easier to control that way. Let's go see them. Citizens of Henderson. Welcome to the black shirt community.

[00:15:16] The right choice. As promised, I bring you food. Fighters line up over there. You'll be coming back with us. I brought plenty of guards to watch over your borders. We have to meet you. We're ready for it.

[00:15:54] Sir, this is Zeb Reed from Raymore. Stuart Claussen from Pecolium. Russ Cotton from Lonejack. And Dick Leonard and Allison Ross run affairs around here in Henderson. Welcome. Please sit down. Thank you for inviting us. Well, aren't you beautiful? You can sit here next to me. Thank you again. Let me explain how this works. All able-bodied fight. We'll provide refugees for farm labor. Everyone produces.

[00:16:24] Here's your quotas. Sir, how do you expect us to accomplish this? I'll provide all the materials as long as you work for it. You'll make it. It's good to have goals in life. If you miss your quota, your community goes on half rations. But sir, with these ration numbers, we'd stall the half. Then don't miss your quotas. Now go. The black shirts will deliver the food and supplies to your communities. Listen, stay here.

[00:16:53] Okay, Mr. Swenson. This is L. Douglas Hogan, voice of T.J. Swenson.

[00:17:23] You can follow me at Amazon or go to facebook.com slash honor your oath. I look forward to seeing you there. It was good to be back, don't it? At least it's quiet. You guys stay here. I'm going to talk with General McClintock. Tonight?

[00:17:52] No better time than the present. Tread softly, my brother. When did you get home? I just got in, buddy. Is your dad around? What the hell are you doing back here, Virgis?

[00:18:21] Barnes didn't call you? No. What's going on? A group of refugees hit the medical supplies. Major General Barnes was pissed. I didn't call in backup, but Alpha Squad was under heavy attack. Let two of the trucks go so we could assist. That's not procedure. You should have called in backup and continued the pursuit. I know, but I didn't. Barnes is going to kill the people we captured. All right.

[00:18:51] Settle down. Here, have a beer and relax. There was a staff sergeant on Alpha Squad. He was paralyzed in the battle. Barnes shipped him off to the medical refugee facility. And why the hell do we have two types in this country? Thank you for being honest. Now I'm going to be honest with you. Barnes did call me. I just wanted to hear it from you.

[00:19:20] And Cook came to me. She told me she saw you with one of the refugees that hit the medical supplies. I think she's mistaken. I don't think she is. It's not like you to break protocol. I think you let those trucks go on purpose. You have to decide what side you are on.

[00:19:47] Right now, we have to survive at all costs. So you either get with the program or get out. Killing people and treating them like second class citizens? Am I second class? I'd be right there with those refugees. And I would do it for the good of our country. That's what we need right now.

[00:20:14] Strong people ready to sacrifice to stabilize this country. I'm not sure I can live like this. Then go, Virgis. Go back home to Arizona. You're still a landowner. I'm gone, sir. I'll see you again, buddy. You'd be good for your dad. No, don't go. I want to stay with him. I want to go with you.

[00:20:43] Johnny, let the man go. Get back to your room. Take care of that boy, Dwayne. Good luck sorting this out. Safe journeys to you, my friend.

[00:21:35] You may want to clean up before you get dressed. Who are you? We won, didn't we? Doug is dead, right? Yes, yes. Don't worry. We won. And Doug is dead. My name is Stan. I'm a doctor. Oh. Still feeling dizzy? Don't worry. It will subside.

[00:22:03] But your ribs are going to hurt for a while. Look. There's a shower over there. A shower? A shower? Really? Yes. A real shower. But it's going to get well used. Go get cleaned up. And we'll put fresh bandages on those ribs. More scars to add to the list. I'd ask.

[00:22:33] But I'll wait until you're ready to share. Thanks. Here. Take this. Is there enough? I can handle the pain. I see that. You look like a very tough girl. It will reduce the inflammation. And we have plenty. Take it. Mmm. That food smells good.

[00:23:02] I want you to take it easy on the food and water for a while. Sport. Your ribs are most likely broken. You'll want to keep your stomach small. And I wouldn't recommend fighting or physical activity for a while. Good luck with that. Here's clothes and boots. Go get cleaned up. Thanks.

[00:23:31] First time I ever saw you. I fell in love. I lit your face. We were just kids but I knew. I will be with you until I stop.

[00:23:54] We will keep loving you as long as my heart's beating. I thought I was going to lose you again. You should know by now you're not getting rid of me that easy. Silly. I love you. I love you too.

[00:24:46] You're done? I love you too. I love you too. I love you too.

[00:25:14] I love you too. Rob already sent a team to let them know. Nothing to worry about baby. Except a long hike back to the kids.

[00:25:26] Prepper Broadcasting Network is nine dynamic hosts.

[00:26:08] Seven podcasts a week. Live shows. Chat rooms. Daily updates. All on prepping, survival and patriotism. Visit PrepperBroadcasting.com for your dose of self-reliance and independence. Why don't you take me on a tour of my new towns? I can do that. Yuri, get a vehicle.

[00:26:38] We're going on a drive. Yes, TJ. Do all your men call you TJ? Yes. Does it stand for something? Nope. Just TJ. TJ. TJ, we are ready to go. A lot of work to do in these towns.

[00:27:08] Doyle didn't care. He let it all go. We had plans to rebuild, but all he wanted to do was pillage. Can't live off of the past. We need to carve a new future. I agree. Who will be a problem? Your men will weed them out. I have seen them work. I want you to come back to my compound with me. I'm flattered by your attention, but... Be careful about the choice you make. I don't give second chances. You come back and work for me. No man will touch you.

[00:27:38] Don't think, answer! Sounds like a wonderful opportunity, TJ. Like a fire burning wild, a freight train you can't stop. Like a nightmare, but this time you don't want to... It pulls you in, it takes over. You just can't let go of the worst, best thing that's ever happened to you. So that's it then.

[00:28:07] You're leaving? I can't do this, guys. I still have a home to return to. Are you sure? No, I'm not, but I can't support this. And what are we supposed to do? What are we supposed to do, Burgess? I don't know. We stuck together through thick and through thin. You better have a better answer than that. It wasn't my plan to leave you behind. Sure the hell feels like it was. Then come with me.

[00:28:37] We can't. We don't have homes to go back to. Come to my home. Landowners can do that, right? I've never been anything but a free man. I'm not letting that freedom rest on any man's benevolence. At least if we stay here, it's because we choose to. You already are, and as soon as you can't fight anymore, you'll end up in a camp. You can choose to come with me. It's still your decision. You said so yourself.

[00:29:06] You guys can't go along with this. Get your gear. Let's go. Monroe, what do you think? I don't think I'm going to follow any orders, other than the ones that come from Burgess anyway. I think you're right. Screw this place. All right then, let's move.

[00:29:41] Thank you for listening to the Changing Earth audio drama.

[00:30:29] Based off of the novel series The Changing Earth by author Sarah F. Hathaway. Available at Amazon or get your signed copies at www.changingearthseries.com. This content is copywritten in 2021 by author Sarah F. Hathaway. For a list of performers, music, and noise attributes, head on over to www.changingearthseries.com.

[00:30:56] Become a subscriber and help the Changing Earth world go around. Pick up your Changing Earth gear at www.changingearthseries.com. Don't forget to leave a review or like and subscribe. Stay tuned for the next episode of the Changing Earth audio drama.