Pedestals of Ash (47 page)

The agent laughed and said he had asked the same question, “The response I received was that the cars didn’t have keys
,
and many had been looted for their batteries or tires and wheels. The military believed it was faster to tow them away than try and fill, repair and hotwire every single car.”

Sophia settled back for the remainder of the ride. Several hours later, they pulled into the front gates of Fort Mead.

Bishop watched as Terri put on her hiking boots and laced them up. She had just finished a prenatal examin
ation
performed by one the base’s doctors. The physician thought Terri was a little anemic, but otherwise having a healthy pregnancy. The lady doc had even come up with two large bottles of prenatal vitamins and given them to Terri with instructions
regarding
the proper dosage. 

Terri was in good spirits, so Bishop decided now was a good time to talk to her about the
g
eneral’s offer. His wife listened without comment as he repeated the conversation. The couple was walking across the parade grounds when Terri stopped mid-stride and turned to her husband. “Do you want to do that Bishop? I didn’t think you liked being in the army much. Do you want to take the general’s offer?”

Bishop looked up at the gray, cloudy sky, lost in thought. He finally shook his head and said, “Terri, I don’t think it’s the right job for me. What I do believe is that it’s the right job for you and the baby. There are doctors and medical care here. They have food and security. We could actually sleep in a bed with a real mattress. They even have shampoo!”

Terri laughed at Bishop’s sales pitch and nodded her head. “I agree that life here would be a little bit easier
,
Bishop. But the ranch isn’t so bad. We have more freedom there
,
and it’s ours. I’m very happy there
,
and I think the baby will be too.
When the time gets closer, we can go to Meraton like we planned, and let the doc there deliver the baby.
I’m good with all of that.”

Bishop smiled and said, “Are you sure? I’m glad to hear you say that, but are you positive it’s the right move?”

Terri surprised Bishop, “No, I’m not sure it’s the right move. I’ve come to know a side of you in the last few months that I never knew existed. You have this desire to help fix things
,
and I can tell you want to be involved and make a difference. I think that’s what the general saw as well. Staying at the ranch is fine for
the baby and me
. What I’m not sure about is if it’s the right move for you. He is offering you a chance to help with rebuilding the country
,
and I don’t think you will have the same opportunity
in Meraton
.”

Bishop didn’t reply. He took both of Terri’s hand
s
and leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers. The couple stood like that for several moments. Bishop finally broke the silence, “You might be right. Do you know what my biggest problem with the whole thing is?” Bishop didn’t give her time to answer. “I’m not sure I would be joining the right side. The more I lear
n and see, the more attractive t
he Independents become. Let’s think about it for a little bit. Are you hungry?”

Terri laughed, “I’m a pregnant gal in the land of plenty. What a silly question
,
my love.”

The two joined hands and continued walking across the grounds.

(The End)

Epilogue (from the
up
coming novel Holding Their Own IV: The Ascent)

The
l
ieutenant
was escorted into Colonel
Marcus’ tent by two burl
y soldiers
, complete
with a black cloth sack
over his head.
Marcus nodded at the closest guard
,
who
turned to their guest. “Sir, it
’
s okay – you can remove the bag now.”

The stranger’s arms slowly rose and lifted the cloth sack from his head. His eyes squinted for a moment as his vision adjusted to the light. “Can I offer you something to drink?” Colonel Marcus asked, almost embarrassed
that
the situation required such cloak-and-dagger tactics.

“No, thank you sir, I’m only here to deliver a message and need to report back as soon as possible.”

Marcus nodded his
understanding, “Well, go ahead l
ieutenant, what’s the message?”

He
hesitated for a moment and then took
a deep breath. “Before I do so
,
C
olonel, I need to verify – are you the commander of this military force?”

Marcus nodded
and then decided to add, “Yes l
ieutenant, I am Colonel Marcus. I am in command here. Wo
uld you like to sit for a moment, lieutenant
? I’ve
been
blindfold
ed
before and know how disconcerting it can be.”

The young officer shook his head and t
hen caught himself, “Thank you, Co
lonel, I’ll be fine. I wasn’t quite sure how I would be received.”

Marcus’s gaze snapped up at the two escorts standing by the entrance to the tent. The sergeant moved his head in a motion indicating, “We didn’t hurt him.”

“Were you m
istreated in any way by my men,
L
ieutenant?”

It took
the officer a moment to connect the dots. He seemed anxious to clear up the misunderstanding, “Oh, no, no, no sir. That’s not what I meant. Before I crossed your lines, it had been a concern. There are all sorts of rumors floating around, sir.”

Marcus wasn’t going to be d
istracted by rumors, “Good. Now…
the
message,
L
ieutenant
?
”

“Sir, this message is from General Peabody, Commander, Task Force Heartland. General Peabody is in command of the forces that oppose
this militia
. His message is as follows.” The
l
ieutenant cleared his throat
,
recit
ing
from memory
, “The United States Army offers a cease fire and exchange of prisoners and wounded. The terms are
straightforward – neither side will maneuver or take any other actions to better their position strategically or tactically during the ceasefire. Both sides will agree to provide at least a one hou
r notice of any intent to break
t
he agreement. Furthermore, the g
eneral suggest
s
a hotline radio frequency be established so as to avoid any misunderstandings.”

Colonel Marcus had been expecting this visit and had already received approval from his superiors to accept reasonable terms.
The point
that advocated
giving the other side one hour’s notice was bullshit
.
Neither party would honor that
…. However, t
he radio communication was a good idea.

The commander of the Independents nodded his head,
“You may return to your lines,
L
ieutenant
,
with the following answer –
‘Agreed as proposed.’
My aid
e
will provide you with a radio frequency on your way out. Will there be anything else?”

The young officer thought for a moment and then replied, “No, sir. Thank you, sir.”

“Dismissed.”