Free Compass Call: Survival & Awakening (The Gatekeeper Book 3) by Kenneth Cary

military experience, that it was easier to accomplish a mission when he allowed his Soldiers to believe they were acting logically and out of necessity. The art was in providing just enough real and accurate information so that they would reach the same conclusion before he even proposed it. It didn’t work on everyone, but it did on enough to make a difference in support, and was an effective way to build cohesion.
    He knew the group was moving towards cohesion, but leaving the neighborhood would be a big deal. He really didn’t want to leave it either, so he knew the others would need some serious convincing; Jenna most of all. He also anticipated push-back from Paul, but Paul wasn’t bound to him, and was free to leave with his family at any time. He liked having Paul and Marissa around, but they weren’t bound to him like Jenna. And breaking her heart wasn’t on his list of marriage accomplishments.
    As anticipated, Jenna was the first to comment on John’s risk assessment. “So . . . what you’re saying is that, by being prepared, we’ve actually made ourselves a target for everyone in the neighborhood who didn’t prepare?” she asked, in a deliberately flat tone that hinted at anger.
    John looked at her and put a hand on her knee under the table. “I never thought it was possible, but it looks like that is what happened. By putting covers over our windows and covering the pool, I essentially put up a neon sign that say’s . . . look at us, we’re prepared. But still, I would rather be prepared than not. Even with the target painted on our backs, we’re still better off than most. We’re not going without. And frankly, I can’t think of how we could have prepared and notattract attention . . . not in this neighborhood anyway . . . not without assuming some risk. It’s not like we ever intended to advertise,” said John, as he looked at the faces staring at him from around the table. “There’s clearly a trade-off between being prepared, and not looking prepared, that I’ve missed. But beyond that, beyond what everyone can actually see, they can only guess at what we have in terms of food,” he finished.
    “Isn’t it safe to say that if you went to all the trouble to cover your windows and pool, that you also have food?” asked Paul. “That’s what I would think, anyway.”
    “I want to be very clear on something,” said John, “everyone here is benefiting from that labor, so I’m not trying to make excuses for my preps. It’s done and we’re moving forward. I’m only pointing out that we’ve become a likely target for our hungry and thirsty neighbors, and we’re meeting now to discuss the way ahead. I’m not taking the window covers down, and I’m not uncovering the pool. In fact, I think we should prepare better defenses. We’re entering a critical stage in the survival period, one where countless unprepared people will begin to explore their survival options. Right now, we’re the most visible option . . . at least for our neighbors,” finished John.
    “If they organize against us it could turn ugly,” said Pete.
    “What do you mean
ugly
?” asked Paul.
    “It will become a fight,” said Pete.
    “But didn’t we already think that would happen,” said Paul. “Isn’t that why you covered your windows, because you thought there would be trouble?”
    “I covered the windows for security . . . and for noise and light discipline. I didn’t think it would become a bulls-eye. But again, we’re getting off subject. Let’s take the worst case scenario and work with that. How many people do you think actually live in this neighborhood?” John asked the group.
    “How many homes are in your neighborhood?” asked Bonnie.
    “About sixty,” replied John.
    “Well, let’s say there’s an average of three people per home, times sixty homes, that’s . . . about one hundred and eighty people, give or take,” replied Bonnie.
    “Surely not all of those people will attack