The Siege of New Hampshire

The confrontation with the hoodlums hiding in the hollow turned into a shootout. It looked like they were all killed, but one was faking it. He grabbed Andy as a hostage to cover his escape. Mara, however, ends his attempt. This solidified Andy's theory of them being sole mates. The hoodlums had a mysterious little gray box which, upon examination, appeared to be a low-power transmitter -- a locator beacon of some kind. The men of Cheshire decide to turn on the beacon in the post office parking lot and see who comes. Becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland is a great way to support the ongoing effort to bring you these weekly podcasts AND to support the work on the next book -- Book 6 -- in progress.

The action returns to New Hampshire. The Simmons house is getting a radio upgrade with Walter's help. He also delivers the message that Susan sent from Doug's mountain. Martin is relieved that she's okay. Andy suggests that Susan is Martin's soulmate, just as Mara is his. While pulling stumps in Martin's back acre, Mara arrives with news of four mysterious men that snuck up along the river overnight. She leads Martin to where they're bedded down for the day. Your support helps keep this story going. Please consider buying Mic a cup of coffee to show your support for the stories, at Buy Me A Coffee. Every cup help! :-)

Susan and Paul meet up with Shivley, the sketchy scrounger, to arrange a deal to provide Byron's group with antibiotics. The negotiations dance around, finally settling on four boxes of ammo for the two bottles of pills. The meeting takes place on an island in the middle of the frozen Connecticut River. Bryon and Owen show up and close the deal. Susan suddenly realizes that she's on the border. She could escape to New Hampshire. Show Mic that you like the story. Buy him a cup of coffee at -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

The story shifts to Vermont. Susan and Paul travel to the house of a man with a ham radio. They listen to disturbing news from Detroit, a likely Fed trap, and a desperate plea for help from Byron Davis, lead of the group that sheltered Susan during her quest for her bridge. Podcast News: The Free Trial option is still open at Mic's Patreon page. You can check out the membership perks for seven days for free! Becoming a supporting Patron might be just the thing for you. If membership isn't quite right your you, you can just buy Mic a cup of coffee to show your support for the stories, at Buy Me A Coffee.

The criminal-inhabitants of Baddaz hear the terms of their surrender. They can join the march to Portsmouth for trial and likely internment aboard an improvised prison ship in the harbor. Or, they can stay in Baddaz and grow their own food. The catch being that those who stay must accept a tattooed X on their foreheads. Anyone with an X caught outside of Baddaz could be shot on sight. Martin arranges a work-parole for Trish so she doesn't have to take the mark. Podcast News: Patreon has added a Free Trial option. You can check out the membership perks for seven days for free! Becoming a supporting Patron might be just the thing for you. Check it out.

The quick defeat of the hoodlum compound -- Baddaz -- was completed. What remained was conducting the surrender. It did not go entirely peacefully. While chipping up more wood fuel for Tin Man, Martin spots Trish in the crowd of prisoners. She tells of a very harsh life after leaving Cheshire, betrayal by her husband, Adam and abuse by fellow 'comfort women' of the Baddaz leader. The return of Adam with the other prisoners compounds her despair. Enjoying the Siege story? You can can give Mic a virtual pat on the back by buying him a coffee at -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or becoming a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Book Five Begins! An armed contingent of people from Cheshire begin an assault on the compound of the group that attacked Cheshire (in the last chapters of Book 3). Despite detailed planning, things do not go as smoothly as hoped. >> Consider supporting this podcast by buying Mic a cup of coffee. Only $2. That's not so much, right? Check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland.

Following up on last week's Q & A about the Siege Stories, this week features an interview of Mic Roland by Brian Hawkins of NextStepSurvival.com. Brian had several questions of his own about the Siege stories, so he and Mic discussed things like writing techniques, whether the characters are based on real people and a bit of background Mic's professional history as a writer. Brian's blog can be found at: https://nextstepsurvival.com. He has the interview with video on YouTube. We both took a stab at editing. :-)

Here are the results of the survey question: Which characters you'd like to hear more of in the stories AND, answers to the questions listeners submitted about the Siege stories in general. Book 5 will begin soon. If you'd like to get a preview of what's in Book 6, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at bmc.link/microland.

Some author notes about the making of Book 4 and about the process that led to the "need" for a Book 4. A bit, too, about Susan's new home outside of Brattleboro, Vermont. Help keep the Siege story podcasts coming. Buy Mic a coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan settles into the daily routines of the extended family living a Five Corners. She figures out that Paul had been secretly part of Operation Longbow. Connecting some clues, she guesses that he is still part of some underground resistance network. As much as she has been fixated on getting back to Cheshire, she realizes that it would not be as blissful as her imagination paints it. Staying in Vermont, and becoming part of the underground network is an option that would make her much more useful to the people of Cheshire. Thus ends book 4. There will be a couple Bonus Material episodes before the start of Book 5. If you'd like to get a preview of what's in Book 6, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a member at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland.

Susan's plan to run across the bridge to New Hampshire is interrupted by a stranger. His intervention saves her group from likely being shot by overzealous federal soldiers. Susan and Heather cautiously agree to accept his help with some temporary housing while Susan tries to figure out another way across the river. They are introduced to an extended (and somewhat curmudgeonly) family living at a cluster of family farms called Five Corners. The survey will still be active until April 20th if you want to vote for the Siege character you'd like to hear more about -- AND -- if you had any questions you'd like to ask about the stories. Check it out. -- https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/eZKv0o1d

En route to Brattleboro, Susan's group is joined by a chatty old woman. She is an inadvertent source of much useful information. Within Brattleboro are many more housing options and support systems that could take care of Heather and her kids. However, the conditions turn out to be austere and the environment grim. Heather and her family decide they want to go to New Hampshire with Susan. She was not expecting that. Q & A To make it easier for you to send me a question you might have about the Siege stories, I created an anonymous survey at -- https://freeonlinesurveys.com/s/eZKv0o1d Check it out and let me know. The survey is good for 2 weeks.

Susan, Heather and family continue traveling north over hilly terrain toward Vernon, VT. Finding the hydroelectric plant busily occupied by soldiers. They join a general migration of people toward Brattleboro. A chatty old woman joins them. She provides useful information about what lies ahead and some cover for entering the Canton. Your support helps make this podcast possible. Help keep Mic going with a cup of coffee at -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan emerges from the ravine, leaving Kirk behind to face his fate. She orders her ad hoc group to break camp while she checks out the junkyard garage. There, she discovers that Kirk lived in relative squalor and with medieval paraphernalia. She salvages useful items and food and fashions a makeshift sled to carry it all. Susan and the family resume their trek over rough and hilly country toward the town of Vernon and the possible crossing point. >> Consider showing your support for this podcast by buying Mic a cup of coffee. Only $2. That's not so much, right? Check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. You can also become a supporting monthly Siege Club member and get access to exclusive content. Patrons at Patreon.com/mic_roland get access to the same exclusive content.

Baron Kirk's generosity suddenly drops away and his true intentions become obvious. He draws a gun on Susan before she can respond. She manages to free herself from the zip-ties and attacks Kirk. He's fighting to ensure he gets his 'rent,' from Heather. Susan is fighting for her life. Thanks for supporting my work on this story via BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

The eccentric stranger that came upon Susan's camp settles in as if it were a social call. He distributes some snack bars and offers packs of oatmeal for Heather's family to have for breakfast. Susan remains suspicious of the stranger but his effusive politeness has Heather relaxing and accepting his help. Kirk even offers to find a house for Heather's family to live in. Susan tries to advise caution, but Heather is leaning toward staying. Susan feels like a failure as a leader. >> If you're enjoying this story, supporting this podcast is as easy as a cup of coffee! BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan and her group avoid a lightly guarded checkpoint at the Vermont border. She has them follow a power line cut that she hopes leads to the small hydroelectric dam at the town of Vernon. Charon suggested that she might be able to use the top of the dam as a bridge. Susan finds her ad hoc leadership increasingly difficult. Then, an unexpected stranger arrives. To show your support for the Siege story, check out -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan reluctantly agreed to let Heather and her children follow her up into Vermont, even though none of them know exactly where they are going. Susan helps them make hemlock snowshoes for themselves and get ready for traveling at night. Progress is slow. The family not only slows Susan down, they become an emotional drain as well. Read preview chapters of book six (and other bonus material) by becoming a monthly member at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland or at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan discovers a remote, and apparently abandoned, cabin on a hilltop near her overnight camp. She cautiously explores it on the prospect of finding some useful salvage. The place looks like it had been trashed and abandoned but not as thoroughly ransacked as looters typically do. Finding a few hidden rounds to the dead hunter's rifle, she assumes it was his Bug Out Location. She finds a few useful items but becomes alarmed when it's clear that someone is beneath the cabin floor. Your support helps make this podcast possible. Give Mic a 'thumbs up' in form of a cup of coffee at -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan has to face the fact that Charon pressed on to Ohio, abandoning her. She is alone in a woods, far from anywhere she knows. To stay ahead of any pursing soldiers, she heads north. Her vague plan is to travel up into Vermont where she hopes the troops guarding the river crossings will be less vigilant. En route, she encounters the body of a man who died alone in the woods. Consider showing your support for this podcast by buying Mic a cup of coffee. Only $2. That's not so much, right? Check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. You can also become a supporting monthly Siege Club member and get access to exclusive content. Patrons at Patreon.com/mic_roland get access to the same exclusive content.

Susan and Charon, having escaped the guardsmen searching for them -- for now -- make camp for the night. They will need the rest, and daylight, to resume their escape. Someone is bound to find their trail eventually. Charon paints a dark picture of what life will be like back in New Hampshire. The trucks of food will only buy them a month or two. Despite the gloomy outlook, Susan still wants to go back. Getting back, however, will be extremely difficult. It's never too late to become a supporter of this podcast. Check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

National Guard troops arrive to interrupt Operation Longbow just as Susan was about to cross the bridge and return to Cheshire. Amid gunfire, she is forced back to the west side of the river. Susan and Charon run through the snow of the wooded hills, pursued by several Guardsmen. Your support helps make this podcast possible. Give Mic a 'thumbs up' in form of a cup of coffee at -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan succeeded in getting a truck dedicated to supplying Cheshire and got to customize its load. Just one more thing to complete her list: a pallet of dry beans that won't arrive until midnight. With Malcolm driving, her truck leaves the staging area next to last in line. Many trucks get across the bridge. As her truck approaches the bridge trouble begins to erupt. Supporting this podcast is as easy as a cup of coffee! BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

The trucks began arriving at the staging area. They would cross the bridge the next day. The time had come for Susan to leave the camp, hopefully forever, and help load area. In a farewell, Justine worries that Susan being deliberately blind to what awaits her...or doesn't, in Cheshire. Susan overcomes her claustrophobia to help customize a truckload of supplies for Cheshire. To show your support or become a member, check out -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan resolves to teach herself how to hunt with a throwing stick, like Owen did. After a great deal of trial and error, she develops some skill. As darkness approaches, she must confront her fears of enclosed spaces in order to tell the others of her intentions to help load the trucks due to arrive tomorrow. In order to load a truck and ride in it back to Cheshire, she will need to master her fears. >> If you're enjoying this podcast, please consider buying Mic a coffee at Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page -- BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan begins to experience uncontrolled anxiety as a result of her being assaulted and shooting the two soldiers. Others at the camp try to console her but she would rather forget than cope. While seeking some quiet time on a hilltop, perhaps to seek God's help, she watches Owen hunting crows with this throwing stick. Thanks for your support in 2022. If you like what you're hearing, you can support this podcast with a cup of coffee! BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan and Owen flee through the woods but cannot escape. The two soldiers capture them and take them to an abandoned house where they each plan to "interrogate" Susan. She is certain that it will be her last day alive but she is determined not to betray the camp or their work. This becomes a pivotal moment in Susan's life that haunts her and alters her.

Susan awakens to the bustle of camp members getting ready to salvage three large gravel conveyors for trusses with which to repair the bridge. Embarrassed at not having a way to contribute, Susan talks her way into any sort of task in order to help out. At the distant gravel yard, she finagles a lookout post at what was supposed to be an empty sector. It wasn't empty. Support this podcast. Check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

After helping the volunteers get set up to work on the bridge, Hal, Charon, and Susan set out to look for the lost road again. Relying more on her memories than what can be seen, she identifies the spot where the true road forked off but had become overgrown. Susan and Charon follow the ghost of a road all the way to the dairy farm staging area. Their return to camp takes too long. The evening drone fights begin before they are back across the river. Support this podcast with a cup of coffee! BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Susan assists Byron in the skinning and cleaning of a raccoon. It is more than she ever wanted to know. Afterward, she gets settled into her temporary lodgings -- the earthen basement of the camp's Girls' Cabin. Susan and her new room mate Justine get to know each other. At supper, Susan is gifted with the best cut of the raccoon meat -- at treat would prefer to avoid. To support this podcast, check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

A ragtag crew of volunteers work on the old bridge, in hopes that it will carry the big trucks of Operation Longbow. Susan, Hal, and Charon explore the forest across the river, looking for the logging road that Susan remembered from her childhood. All they found, however was a dead end at a swamp. Was the road gone now? Back at the lodge, Susan gets tapped to help Byron dress out a raccoon -- her first (reluctant) experience with skinning an animal. Happy Thanksgiving, listeners!

Susan and team evade drones as they cross the border into Massachusetts. They arrive at the (apparently) abandoned summer camp only to find that the community of 'rebels' live underground beneath the camp buildings. At her first exploration across the river, it appears the road she remembered no longer exists.

Book 4 starts with when, in Book 3, Martin and the others dropped Susan off near the Mass border. She is being escorted through the closed and guarded border by Charon, one of the Coalition's tactical operatives. While Susan is determined to help Operation Longbow succeed in getting food to New Hampshire, she battles doubts about herself and the wisdom of her choices. Now that we're starting another book, consider buying Mic a cup of coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland, and keep the story coming! Thanks!

Bonus Episode -- Horsepower After a collapse, the use of horses for transportation and work could see a revival. What would it be like to farm with horses? Mic interviews Jonathan, a man who currently farms with horses. We get a glimpse of what it's like, and what it could be like. Photos of Jonathan farming with horses at Buy Me A Coffee / microland / gallery Resources from Jonathan: SmalllFarmers Journal -- www.smallfarmersjournal.com Www.DocHammill.com -- Doc Hammill does workshops and has a series of videos. He is a good teacher and excellent for someone that’s never been around horses.

A few author's thoughts about Book 3. The Ending That Wasn't. (it turns out) What do you do with the poor? After a collapse, there will be hundreds of thousands of the Suddenly Poor. The Rule of Law vs mob rule. What do people do when the usual legal processes are no longer available?

The conclusion of Chapter 20, the last chapter in Book 3: Hunger Season. Martin leaves the barn of the Town Farm after helping subdue their captors. His goal is to find Margaret, hopefully in the orchard's small store. While he's making his way through deep snow, a battle rages up the hill. Raiders from the criminals' camp in Nutfield have traveled north, attacking their way toward the center of town. If you've enjoyed the story, consider buying Mic a cup of coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland, and keep the story coming!

Martin gets work that a group of men have started to raid homes on the south side of town. They are moving north, toward the center of town. They will pass Town Farm, where Margaret and Dustin were holed up during the blizzard. Martin missed riding with the other defenders, so had to trek to Town Farm by snowshoes. Trevor comes along. Passing the dairy, Adam is one of the attackers. He recognizes Martin and raises his rifle to settle an old score. To support this podcast, check out Mic's Buy Me A Coffee page at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland Or become a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Judy frets over the lack of contact with the Town Farm, where Dustin and Margaret were when a strong and sudden blizzard engulfs Cheshire. Martin helps search in near-zero visibility for his neighbor's son who started home from town but never made it. Thugs and hunger were trouble enough. Now, they have to contend with the power of winter. A blizzard tale is a great time for a nice hot cup of coffee! :-) Consider buying Mic a cup of coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

With Candice now in custody, implicated in helping Quinn foment trouble in Cheshire, the problem becomes what to do with her. Martin decides to take Trevor to the Simmons' home, freeing up room in the Town Farm's ad hoc jail cell for Candice. While getting Trevor settled in, a powerful snow storm descends quickly, with bitter cold and white-out conditions. If you're enjoying the story, please consider buying me a coffee to support this project, at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Buy Me A Coffee Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Candice is confronted about her conspiring with FEMA honcho Quinn to foment trouble in town. (the dairy fire, the gang attack, the Altman murders,) She runs, chased by a very angry mob. Martin and others prevent the mob from killing her but what to do with her now? A plan is hatched to tell Quinn that they'll exchange Candice for the corn FEMA stole. The plan does not go as expected. This is part one of Chapter 18, which was a bit long. Part two airs next week!

A group of Cheshire men accompany the police chief, attempting to bring in the shopping cart gang from their hidden camp. One of the gang is suspected of the Altman murders. A shootout ensues. Martin coaxes one of the survivors into telling her tale as a refugee from grid-down Manchester, taken in (captive) by the gang. She becomes Martin's "start witness" in the trial of the accused neighbor. Thank you for supporting this podcast by buying Mic a cup of coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Buy Me A Coffee Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

The crowd at the Altman's house learn that their deaths were no accident. They were murdered. The mob haul in the neighbor, accusing him. Martin finds himself appointed as defense attorney again. Before the trial, Mara meets Martin on patrol. She wordlessly leads him to where the shopping cart bandits had created a nearly-invisible hideout. Martin suspects that one of the bandits was the actual murderer. He rushes to alert others to gather up enough men to arrest the gang before they can escape.

While on patrol, Martin and Margaret discover Mara (living the wild woman life in their backwoods) just as she is being abducted by strange (and large) man. Martin and Andy show the residents of the Town Farm how to make pine fries to supplement their dwindling food supplies. On the way home, they stumble across an apparent murder scene. Author's Note: Podbean Ads have turned out to be a disappointing nothing-burger. As an alternative, please consider buying me a coffee to support this project, at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Buy Me A Coffee Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Tempers flare as neighbors begin to suspect neighbors for the barn burning and a rash of petty crimes. Walter makes radio contact with the Coalition. Malcolm's escape prompted increased security at bridges. Operation Longbow may be called off. Susan insists that there are fire trials and logging roads over the mountains. The agent says that person with knowledge of those fire trails must travel to the site to scout a route for the food trucks. It could be a one-way trip.

A distinctive boot print suggests a culprit that started the diary barn fire, but no one is found with such boots. Rations get slimmer still at the Simmons' home. A old hen becomes the household's Christmas dinner. Despite the austerity, decorating, singing, and giving simple homemade gifts lifts everyone's spirits and takes their mind off their sobering future prospects. Consider supporting this podcast by buying Mic a cup of coffee at BuyMeACoffee.com/microland. Buy Me A Coffee Or become a supporting member at BMAC or a patron at Patreon.com/mic_roland.

Martin and Judy take Tin Man to Walter's house so he can have an extended radio session. They hear fragments of news about power plant repairs failing and a possible aid fleet to help New Hampshire. Malcolm, a new house guest of Walter's, relates how he escaped with a truckload of FEMA food, crashed through barricades and made it as far as Walter's house. Malcolm spoke of a relief mission called Operation Longbow. On the way home from Walter's, Martin discovers that the town's dairy barn is on fire.

While on his way to a town meeting, Martin is ambushed by Joni's angry/jealous husband. At the trading session, Walter and Sally have some mysteriously new food products to trade. Martin finds his much-dreaded opportunity to have his 'talk' with Joni. Andy improves and negotiates staying with the Simmons'. You can help keep these stories coming by becoming a member at: Buy Me A Coffee or Patreon. Even just buying a cup of coffee is appreciated.

Martin wears a disguise into town to avoid arrest. News from the outside world tells of a tightening siege but also some plans by the Coalition to get aid to New Hampshire. All of Clyde's corn is stolen! Now what do the townsfolk do for food? As snow falls, the Utopians' camp is abandoned, except of Andy, who is unconscious from hypothermia. If you like what you hear, consider supporting this podcast by becoming a member at: Buy Me A Coffee or Patreon

After cleaning their bountiful catch and a hearty feast of fish chowder, Hendrick Brothers Trucking sets out on its return trip. They are accompanied by a squad of National Guard, their HumVee disguised as a bread truck. The plan is to tempt a group of notorious highway bandits into attacking. Martin ends up far more involved than he expected. For additional content, consider becoming a member at: Buy Me A Coffee or Patreon