Chapter Text
The alert went across everyone’s screens. We all learned at the same time we were fucked.
“Citizens of New Zealand, we are now working closely with an alien life form that wishes to help further our country and world into the future. For further information Monday at midday all residents go to this closest town hall, a list of viable town halls will be sent out momentarily.”
That was it? I was midway through moving a mob of sheep when my phone exploded with alerts. I took a deep breath after reading it and continued. No use going into town to get more food, everyone else would be there. No use heading into town at all. I know what everyone is going to be talking and stressing over. That conclusion didn’t stop my own mind from running. If they were giving us pre warning they must have come in peace. I closed the gate and just stood there. How the fuck am I supposed to run a farm through this. How can I get my fertilizer or seed if I’m guessing the whole world is going through this right now. I can’t just leave the animals. I can get through another 2 winters without struggle on the feed I have. 3 if I string everything out. I won’t get through the lambing season if I have nobody. That would start in a few week. I know so many farms that had already started. I verbally sweared before getting back in the truck. The farm was the same but the road was taken over by lunatics. I was out on the road for less than a minute before someone sped up my old farm trucks ass and they told me heavily I was going too slow. I pulled off another second later to silence of the farm again. I don’t think anyone is taking this news positively. Well I guess it was a good idea to do my big shop 2 days ago. I can last for a good month on the fresh stuff and I have quarter the garden planted. A solar panel needing to be set up would have to be next. I just hope all this doesn’t make my sheep a target. People will be getting hungry based on how covid went. No imports or exports at all will really show the government what all the farmers were on about when we talked of “self sufficiency”. I swerved remembering I was driving and thought about what else to do. I needed to move another mob of sheep but that can be Sundays problem as well as walking the last ewes to the lambing paddocks. Now was time for a beer and finishing that garden. I’ll need it a lot more this summer.
I was drinking and planting potato’s. I didn’t worry putting my dogs back in their kennels as they all lounged around watching me. I finished another row and sat with them. Heads were on my lap instantly knowing that they would get pats. I have a month to figure out another source of dog food. Biscuits I should be good for a few months. Might have to switch to mutton. I lean back and rest my head on Boss, my old dog. He didn’t care even as the other dogs half sat on me for attention. I won’t let my family go.