Martin loses his temper over wasteful uses of precious, limited resources. To make amends, he takes Judy to listen in on one of Walter's radio sessions. They listen to fragments of news from the outside world are both sublime and troubling.

The townsfolk of Cheshire grapple with the reality that they are on their own and just what that means. A bold FEMA man comes to town promising to be the social safety net that everyone has lost. His token gifts, proof of his professed benevolence, raise more questions than reassurance. The townsfolk resume their barter fair, exchanging surpluses for needed items. Awkward moments when Susan is mistaken as Martin's wife.

The Simmons' household gets an unanticipated additional strain on their food supplies when they take in an elderly lady from their church. She arrives with virtually no food to add to the Simmons' supplies.

Martin navigates the minefield of faux pas between Margaret and Susan. Martin's son, Dustin and his wife Judy arrive seeking refuge, telling a tale of escape from sketchy men up in the mountains. Even though they brought with them what food they had, it's not enough to improve the outlook for the Simmons' household.

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On their way to a town meeting, Martin and Susan encounter what appears to be a dead utility worker at the damaged electrical substation. At the meeting, Martin tries to explain why be believes the power won't be coming back on in a few days. The news upsets some folks. Police and fire services will be severely limited, as well room at the school gym shelter. Tempers flare over what should be done, or not done.

Martin made it home but the power is still out. He, his wife Margaret, and their new houseguest try to get as ready as they can to face the prospect of a long winter with no more new groceries, gasoline, or other supplies. Martin finds the situation with 'two hens in a nest' to be more fraught than he expected.

Coming up soon will be the start of Book Two in the Siege of New Hampshire Series: Siege Fall. This little kick-off podcast is an introduction: a very brief setting of the stage as the story continues.

Epilogue -- Some final (?) thoughts on Book One and a bit of talk about the start of Book Two after a break for Christmas.

The final chapter of Book 1. Martin and Susan climb the last big hill and meet an old ham operator. Via Walter's radio they get help to the old couple and learn a little bit about what's been going on in the nation. A ride in a horse cart eases the last miles, but eventually, Martin has to introduce Susan to his wife, Margaret. He dreads the moment.

While following now-familiar roads toward his house, Martin and Susan discover an old man sitting in his living room while a generator is running in his closed garage. The pair have to break in, in an attempt to save the incoherant man.