Reboot by Carl Rauscher

Author:Carl Rauscher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: postapocalypse, national guard, emp, midwest life, electromagnetic pulse, pulse, rebuilding society, loss of technology
Publisher: Carl Rauscher

Chapter 30

A couple of days later, Oscar sat on the floor of his shop and cursed loudly as the wrench he was using slipped off a rust encrusted nut and slammed his hand against the cold metal casing of an alternator. This was not the first time, not even this week that the cheap tool proved unable to do its job. He tossed it back into the superhero-stickered toolbox and sucked on a torn and bleeding knuckle.

“How about a new set of tools for Christmas, Casper?” he asked his mysterious cohabitant. He got up and stretched his leg, deciding that obsessing over a lone bolt wasn’t worth further bodily injury. A blast of cold air rushed into the store, accompanied by the jingling of the bell above the door.

“Hello? Is anyone here?”

“In the back.” Oscar called out, recognizing the voice. It was Daniel, Rabbit’s brother, holding a slip of paper Oscar recognized from the library bulletin board.

“Is the position still available?” Daniel asked.

Oscar figured he must have some experience with machinery, as most people in this town had adopted a do it yourself approach to living, so he did not waste his time asking about qualifications. "Do you have some tools, by any chance?" he asked.

Daniel grinned. He opened his full length jacket to reveal wrenches, ratchets, and screwdrivers of every sort neatly slung into the lining and vest pockets like some gaudy street salesmen selling watches to bored tourists.

Oscar looked up and said, “Toss me a decent seven-sixteenths inch wrench and you’re hired.”

Daniel did as he was told and Oscar put him to work helping to finish an initial assessment of needed repairs in the theater. The work went faster than the week Oscar estimated, mostly because of Daniel’s willingness to work as long as necessary to get the job done.

Oscar tried once or twice while they worked to bring up the topic of his mother’s technical skills, but either the boy didn't catch Oscar’s hints or he was deliberately avoiding the conversation. Oscar suspected the latter.

Repairing the ventilation system proved tougher than initially thought. Oscar managed to get the furnace started, but the blower motors on the roof were corroded well past the point of his fabrication skills.

Daniel studied Oscar’s hand-drawn sketches back at the shop and said, “What about just using a couple of old radiator fans to circulate air?”

Oscar rubbed his chin before answering. “Might work, but where are we going to find fan blades big enough?”

“There’s a truck dealership just outside of town by the Donahue ranch; they have these rigs sitting there untouched. Me and some of the guys used to go out there and shoot rats for fun. We could ride out there, pull the fan blades, and be back before supper.”

The name ‘Donahue’ made Oscar uneasy, but he had to admit the idea sounded like a good one. “Can you take me there tomorrow? I’d like to get this roof work done before the weather turns bad again.”

The young man shook his

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