Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains) (16 page)

Lisa
came out onto the porch. “Are you….”

“
I’m
fine. Let me sit down and I’ll tell you all about it.”

An
hour later he had told everyone the story of his day and had a dinner of stewed
chicken, corn and potatoes. The food was good, but each mouthful brought back
images of the desperate people north of town.
I hope we can find a solution
fast for them.

In the
living room, he sat in his father’s recliner and felt the cares of the time
drain out of him.

Sitting
next to him with Adam, Maria said, “We traded a young rooster and a couple of
hens for some rabbits.”

“
Dad
had some cages, but no rabbits, so we traded for a buck and two does.” His
sister added. “Now, in a couple of months we’ll have another source of meat.”

“
That’s
great. If everyone bartered like that, there would be a lot less hunger than
there is.

Light
hit the living room curtains casting the room in a colorful glow. Lisa stood,
grabbed her shotgun, and peeked out the window. “Someone is coming up the
driveway.”

Maria
blew out the lantern as his mother smothered the two candles.

Caden
came up behind his sister and recognized the red Ford pickup. “He’s a good guy
sis, don’t shoot him.”

She
elbowed her brother. “I’m never going to hear the end of that am I?”

“
Nooo,”
Caden said with a big grin, “My grandchildren are going to know all about the
day my baby sister shot me.”

Brooks
stepped out of the car as the whole Westmore clan filed onto the porch.

At the
bottom step the lieutenant came to attention and saluted.

Caden
returned the salute, “Is there a problem XO?”

“
Hopefully
not sir. We received a phone call about 30 minutes ago. The Adjutant General
has ordered all commanders back to Olympia for a meeting at 0900 tomorrow.” He
handed Caden a sheet of paper with handwritten details.

After
reading it over he asked, “Did they say what it was about?”

“
No,
but on the radio coming here I heard that President Durant has activated the
California National Guard to assist Chinese advisors.”

A
bewildered look spread across Maria face. “Chinese?”

C
aden rubbed his chin.
“What are the Chinese advising us about?”

“
The
radio said they want to ensure the fair distribution of their food aid.”

“
Why
do we need their help to ensure fairness?” Lisa asked.

“
We
don’t,” Maria replied.

They’re
not worried that we will misuse the food aid. I thought they were covering
something up with their own involvement when they disarmed the North Koreans.
This is just another step in their worldwide chess game—a game I think we might
lose.
“I
guess I’ll let you know when I get home tomorrow.

Lisa
looked at Brooks, “You said that all Guard units were activated. What does that
mean?”

Caden
answered. “It means we are no longer subject to state authority. We’re under
federal government command.”
And I’m liking this less the more I think about
it.
“But the only thing I know for sure is that I’m to attend a meeting
tomorrow, so let’s not get too worked up.”
There will be plenty of time to
get upset tomorrow.
“So XO, why did you drive down here? The phones are
working—I think.”

“
They are,”
he said heading back to the car, “but I thought you might need this.” He set
two, five-gallon gas cans, on the ground. Then he handed Caden a neatly folded
uniform, “And you might need this since I got blood on your ACUs,”

“
So
that was your blood?” Lisa asked. “He told us what happened. That was you? Are
you okay?”

He
gently touched the side of his head “Ah…yes, yes and yes ma’am. The medic sewed
me up.”

Lisa
invited him inside, but he declined. “I better get back to the armory. I’ll
have four soldiers and a Humvee here at 0730 to accompany you.”

Thinking
the Humvee was excessive he started to object, but then reconsidered.
If I’m
not well protected Maria might insist on riding shotgun and I don’t want that.
The safest place for her is right here on the farm.
“Have the soldiers
bring four MREs with them in the morning. Thanks.”

As
Brooks drove away and the family filed back into the house, Lisa turned to him.
“So, what’s his first name?”

“
David.
Why?”

She
smiled. “He looks good in a uniform.”

*
        
      
*
              
*

The
soft glow of the oncoming sunrise heralded a new day as a Humvee pulled up in
front of the farmhouse. One young soldier in a flak jacket and carrying an M4
climbed out.

In his
new ACUs Caden stepped out on the porch carrying a briefcase that belonged to
his father. In it was the list of needed supplies from the emergency manager
and a map of the area. He hoped to get everything his community needed, but
knew that was highly unlikely. He turned to his mother, and hugged her. “When
my leg is better I’m going up the North Road and look for Dad, Susan and
Peter.”

“
Your
father is a resourceful man. He’ll come back to me. I hope with Peter and
Susan, but we can talk about it later.”

Dad
is a resourceful man and if he is alive he will find a way back, but people are
killing each other out there for food, drugs and gas.
“Okay Mom, we’ll talk
about it later.” He hugged his sister and Maria.

Maria
pulled him back tight. “Be back tonight.”

He
smiled, hugged her again. “That’s my plan.”

The soldier
climbed into the SUV with Caden and following the Humvee they headed toward the
freeway.

At the
causeway barricade they stopped and Caden told the guards that he would be back
that evening, hopefully with other trucks. Then the Humvee and car crossed over
into the ten mile no-man’s-land between the blockade and the freeway.

As
they approached the freeway overpass, Caden noticed several burned-out cars
that were not there a couple of days before in the otherwise deserted church
parking lot. Across the street, in the convenience store parking lot, were a
dozen vehicles, but only one was familiar. Turning to the soldier beside him he
said, “I’m going to pull off here for just a moment. Tell the guys in the
Humvee.”

Using
his radio, the soldier informed the others.

The
few people in the lot were all male. Caden saw desperate eyes follow him across
the lot.

The
Humvee circled back as Caden stopped beside a worn Ford minivan with a tarp
duct taped to the top and supported by tree limbs. Turning to the soldier with
him he said, “Tell everyone to keep watch.” He stepped out as a thin man with a
graying beard came around from behind the van. “Hello Henry. I’ve got something
for you.” He handed him a five gallon gas can. “I know it is not enough to get
you to your farm in Oregon, but it’s all I can spare.”

Henry’s
eyes widened. “Thank you. It might be enough. If it’s not we’ll walk the rest
of the way. Thanks.” He called to his wife and boys. “We better be quick. Most
of the people here are criminals or crazy. The only reason they leave us alone
is that we’re armed and don’t have anything.”

Caden
glanced over his shoulder. Four soldiers stood behind the SUV and Humvee with
their weapons pointed at several, dirty, wild-eyed men as they cautiously
approached. “Yeah they look desperate enough to do something stupid.”

“
Hey,
you got more gas?” One man called out.

One
boy tore the tarp from the car as Henry poured the fuel into his tank. Caden
handed the four MREs to the wife. With tears in her eyes she thanked him as the
family climbed into the minivan.

Another
man, holding a pistol, yelled, “Hey, you got more food?”

“
Henry’s
auto sputtered, shook and then started. He did a ‘thumbs up,’ to the soldiers.

Caden
called to the soldiers, “Let’s move out fast.” The soldiers jumped in and all
the vehicles quickly drove out of the lot.

The
SUV and Humvee pulled onto the freeway heading north and, in his rearview
mirror, Caden caught a glimpse of Henry and his family heading south.
God, I
hope they make it home.

*
              
*
              
*

The
meeting was held in the same conference room as the one he attended just days
before. When he walked in all the seats were taken at the table. Caden
recognized Governor Monroe, his chief of staff David Weston and, from his
picture at the armory, Adjutant General Harwich of the Washington National
Guard, but not anyone else.

Clusters
of people stood along the walls, including one group of military officers.
Caden was tempted to walk over to them, but the way was blocked by other
groups.

Chairs
were brought in and Caden finally got one along the wall.

After
about five minutes the governor stood. “Thank you all for coming. The president
is about to address the nation. The speech will be carried by the national
media, but we were planning a meeting for Monday so, I felt it best we watch it
together and have the meeting right afterwards. If we have to make plans based
on the President’s address we can do so right then.” With that someone turned
on a large television on the wall. An announcer was just concluding his
comments and then President Durant appeared on screen.

“
My
fellow Americans,” he began and for several minutes engaged in the normal
political platitudes. “While we hunt down those who aided the terrorists we
will also restore this great nation. To speed the process of restoration I am
taking the following actions today.”

This
was the part he wanted to hear. Caden leaned forward.

“
As
acting President of the United States I have already imposed martial law on
several states and regions. I am now extending that to all fifty states and
territories. The Posse Comitatus Act is suspended…”

The
military can now arrest civilians. Is that legal?

“…
and
I am suspending the writ of habeas corpus.”

And
the military doesn’t need to charge someone with a crime when arresting them
and citizens don’t get a day in court.

“
Contrary
to reports in the media I am not activating all Guard and reserve units. While
I have considered it, many state governors wish to retain more direct control
of their Guard soldiers so, at this time, only select companies in Maryland,
Virginia, Georgia and California have been called up.”

Good!
I don’t work for President Durant—yet anyway.

“
However,
all military commands are ordered to cooperate with our allies to maintain
order and distribute aid. This relief will soon be arriving from a number of
countries. In the east I have asked our NATO allies to take the lead in relief
efforts. China will manage aid in the west.

Murmurs
of disapproval swept the room. “We got the short straw on that one,” a man to
the left of Caden muttered.

“
And
finally, until we have put these terrorist attacks behind us and our economy is
back on its feet I am postponing presidential elections.”

A
collective gasp swept the room.

The
president doesn’t have the right or power to postpone the election.
Caden struggled to hear
Durant over the debate that now flooded the auditorium.

“
We
should not, we must not…liberty must temporarily bow…greater
good…security…food…back on the job…We will rise from…Thank you and God Bless
America.” The screen went dark.

Immediately
people on both sides and across the table asked Governor Monroe, “Are you going
to drop out of the race?”

Monroe
sat silent for a moment as if taking it all in. Then he slowly shook his head.
“No. While I believe…I know, that President Durant does not have the authority
to postpone the election, he remains the lawful president at least until the
next inauguration. Until that time I will cooperate with him in every way that
I can, within the Constitution. However, I intend to remain a candidate and
speak out on issues where I believe the President is wrong, such as his attempt
to postpone the upcoming election and allow Chinese troops into the country.”

The
Governor then called for reports from advisors, cabinet officials, FEMA and
area Guard commanders. While Monroe was the hub of discussion, a variety of
smaller groups formed around the room. David Weston seemed in constant motion
bringing people to the Governor, or getting some fact or figure for him.

As the
Governor spoke with various advisors, Caden overheard long discussions about
flu and other illnesses. He checked his list.
No request for flu vaccine.
Briefly
he considered adding it, but the list was already long.
Why add things no
one asked for?

It was
well over an hour before the Governor met with Adjutant General Lowell. They
spoke briefly before David Weston called over one of the Guard commanders.
Finally, the Chief of Staff called Caden to meet with the Governor and General
Lowell.

The
General introduced himself and then asked about troop levels and supplies.

“
I
have 53 soldiers, which is just over half strength. That number is adequate for
the moment. However, I need to be resupplied with ammo.” He handed the general
a list.

Caden
then laid a map of the Hansen area on the table and described his plan. “We’ll
secure the state highway out to the interstate and the North Road toward
Tacoma. Also there is a coal power plant here,” he pointed, “I want to try and
get it back up and running, but as we expand our area of control I’ll be
stretching my manpower and thinning my positions.”

Monroe
traced his finger along the North Road. “Opening this route would help move
supplies and people. Also we could use the power from the coal generator. The
eastern half of the state is good, but on this side of the mountains we don’t
have enough electricity because of damaged or destroyed transmission lines. Can
you absorb the people from the refugee camp into your community?”

“
No,
we’re critically short of food and other necessities.” He handed the governor
his list. “But if I had enough gasoline and some food I think I’d be able to
get most them to the FEMA camp here,” he pointed on the map, “or home if they
still have one.”

Monroe
nodded. “Everyone has been handing me long lists like you have, but I’ll ask
Weston to speak with FEMA and gather what they can.

The
sun dipped low in the winter sky as Caden’s SUV pulled onto the freeway behind
the Humvee and leading three supply trucks and a fuel tanker. The vehicles were
full to the point that some ammo and medicine was stacked in the back of his
SUV, still the convoy had less than half the supplies he requested. Caden told
the young soldier with him to drive and he sat in the passenger seat with an M4
leaning between his legs. He was exhausted, but all he had done today was
listen and talk. He struggled to stay awake while formulating a plan to use his
limited supplies to clear the refugee camp and feed the town.
It will be
good to get home tonight.