James Rawles - Founders

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This is a work of fiction. All of the events described are imaginary. Most of the characters in this novel are fictional. A few real-life individuals gave permission for their names to be mentioned. Aside from these individuals, any resemblance to living people is purely coincidental.

The information contained in this novel is intended for educational purposes only, to add realism to a work of fiction.

The case citations contained within this novel do not constitute legal advice. Consult a jural society or lawyer if you have legal questions. The medical details contained within this novel do not constitute medical advice. Consult a doctor or herbalist if you have medical questions. The purpose of this novel is to entertain and to educate. The author and Atria Books / Simon & Schuster shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any citizen, person, or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, directly or indirectly by the information contained in this novel.

James AlstobaBaptist minister and part-time metal detectorist, near Williams, Arizona

Dale Bennetgrasslands biologist and rabbit breeder, Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Peter Blanchardfirst lieutenant, USAF, missileer at Malmstrom AFB, Montana

Chambers Clarkefertilizer and pesticide salesman, Radcliff, Kentucky

Hollan Combsretired property manager and soils analyst, Bradfordsville, Kentucky

Brent Danleytrauma nurse from Waterville, Vermont

Jennifer Danleywife of Brent Danley

Ron Emersonfather of Rebecca (Emerson) Fielding

Adrian Evansa Nashville attorney and friend of Ben Fielding

Ben Fieldingattorney in Muddy Pond, Tennessee

Joseph Fieldingson of Ben and Rebecca Fielding; thirteen years old at the onset of the Crunch

Rebecca (Emerson) Fieldingwife of Ben Fielding

Dan Fongindustrial engineer from Chicago; member of Todd Grays Idaho survivalist retreat group

Ignacio Garcaleader of the criminal gang La Fuerza

Todd Grayleader of a group retreat near Bovill, Idaho

Chet Haileyowner of Chets Crawlers and Haulers, a four-wheel drive vehicle repair and modification specialist garage in Chicago, Illinois

Dustin Hodgesdeputy sheriff in Marion County, Kentucky

Maynard Hutchingsmember of the Hardin, Kentucky, board of supervisors

Tom T.K. KennedyTodd Grays dormitory roommate and cofounder of The Group

Captain Andrew Andy LaineArmy Ordnance Corps officer

Lisbeth Beth Lainewife of Lars Laine

Grace Lainedaughter of Lars and Lisbeth; six years old at the onset of the Crunch; nicknamed Anelli

Kaylee (Schmidt) Lainewife of Andy Laine

Major Lars Lainedisabled U.S. Army veteran

Cliff LarsonHVAC technician from Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Ken Laytonoff-road vehicle mechanic, Chicago, Illinois; member of Todd Grays Idaho survivalist retreat group

Terry Laytonwife of Ken Layton; member of Todd Grays Idaho survivalist retreat group

Kevin Lendelcomputer programmer living near Bovill, Idaho; member of Todd Grays Idaho survivalist retreat group

L. Roy Martinowner of the Bloomfield Refinery; nicknamed El Rey by his Spanish-speaking employees

Curt Mehgaioilfield worker and U.S. Army veteran

Jim Monroerancher near Raynesford, Montana; father of Kelly (Monroe) Watanabe

Rhonda Monroewife of Jim Monroe; mother of Kelly (Monroe) Watanabe

Carl Norwoodrancher in Butte County, South Dakota

Cordelia Norwoodwife of Carl Norwood

Graham Norwoodson of Carl and Cordelia Norwood; sixteen years old at the onset of the Crunch

the Old Mannickname of the anonymous leader of a Kentucky-based resistance reconnaissance unit

Brigadier General Edward OldsMechanized Infantry brigade commander, Fort Knox, Kentucky

Francisco Ortegaranch hand, Raynesford, Montana; sixteen years old at the onset of the Crunch

Jedediah Peoplesresistance infantryman from Westmoreland, Tennessee

Durward Perkinsfarmer in West Branch, Iowa

Karen Perkinswife of Durward Perkins

Larry Prinefarmer near Morgan City, Utah

Lynda Prinewife of Larry Prine

Sheila Randallgeneral store owner and widow of Jerome Randall

Tyree Randallson of Sheila Randall; ten years old at the onset of the Crunch

Major General Clayton Uhlichpost commander at Fort Knox, Kentucky

Lily Voisingrandmother (Grandmre) of Sheila Randall and great-grandmother of Tyree Randall; eighty-five years old at the onset of the Crunch

Joshua Watanabesenior airman (E-4), Missile Maintenance NCO, Malmstrom AFB, Montana

Kelly (Monroe) Watanabewife of Joshua Watanabe

Brigadier General Anthony Woolsonbase commander, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana

Unlike most novel sequels, the story line of Founders is contemporaneous with the events described in my previously published novels, Patriots and Survivors. Thus, you need not read them first (or subsequently), but youll likely find them entertaining. They will also fill in the backstories for several characters.

Nashville, Tennessee

Eight Years Before the Crunch

Adrian Evans had asked Ben to meet him at the bar after work. This was a meeting that wasnt in Bens comfort zone. Ben Fielding only rarely set foot in a bar, and the only drinking that he did was tiny little communion cups of wine. But since he was about to move his family and he probably wouldnt see Adrian again for many months, he reluctantly agreed.

Ben had just seen Adrian three days before, at a Sunday afternoon farewell barbeque. Nearly everyone from the law firm, and a couple of Ben and Rebeccas neighbors, came over for the party. Because Ben was moving his family to the country, the get-together had been organized by Bens secretary as a theme party. Many of the guests wore colorful cowboy shirts or coveralls and straw hats. Most of the gifts were back-to-the-land tools. These included a push cultivator, various hand tools, a scythe, several shovels, and a hay fork. The latter, as everyone insisted, became a prop for Ben to hold for clichd portraits of Ben and Rebecca standing together, looking like the stern-faced couple in the Grant Wood painting