Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains) (21 page)

The
second soldier reached the group and raised his rifle to strike another blow.

Caden
pulled out his pistol and shouted, “No!”

Major
Cheng’s hand was already out to stop the second strike.

With
gun still drawn, Caden stepped over his unconscious friend. “We’ll take David
and leave.”

Cheng
nodded and moved back.

He
lifted Weston with the help of the two American soldiers. The injured man
moaned as they moved him. Only then did Caden notice the microphone under
David’s jacket. A wire ran down to what looked like a cellphone on his belt.

The
limo that Weston arrived in sped off.

What
is going on here?

*
              
*
 
             
*

David
Weston’s swollen eyes blinked, opened and slowly seemed to come into focus.
“Where am I?” His voice had a nasal quality.

Caden
decided not to tell him that much of the left side of his face was black, blue
and purple. “Olympia General Hospital.” He smiled. “Did you have a nice rest?”

“
How
long was I out?”

“
Just
over a day.” Caden pulled out his phone. “The governor was here earlier. He
said to notify him when you woke up. He wants to personally thank you for
getting Major Cheng to admit to the details of the treaty and then he wants to
strangle you for pulling such a dangerous stunt.”

“
What
happened?”

“
You
don’t remember?”

“
Most
of it I do, just not why I’m here with….” He felt the bandages on his head. “I
remember arriving at the port in the limo and….” He looked confused. “What
happened?”

Caden
had replayed the incident so many times in his head it was easy for him to
retell it to David. “…so, the soldier smashed you in the face with the butt of
his rifle, broke your nose, and you hit the pavement so hard you have a
concussion. But what I don’t understand is why you chose to hide a news
cameraman and reporter in a limo?”

“
I
couldn’t roll up in a news van. If Major Cheng had any idea he was being filmed
he would have done his best to talk like a diplomat. I wanted him to speak
frankly about the treaty and what he thought, so I needed an unmarked vehicle
with plenty of space and tinted windows. When you think of ample space and
tinted windows, what vehicle comes to your mind?”

Caden
laughed.

“
Did
they get the video on the local news?”

“
They
sure did. Durant won’t let the networks touch it and has tried to keep it off
the Internet, but the Olympia media was using it within the hour. Reporters and
others friendly to Monroe’s campaign have passed it along. I know it has been
seen in much of the west and perhaps the entire nation.

“
Oh,
and despite Durant’s best efforts, the clip of Major Cheng saying Governor
Monroe should be arrested went viral about the same time President Durant’s
order to do it was reported by the media. The timing made it look like Durant
is a puppet of the Chinese military.”

“
He’s
ordered Monroe to be arrested?”

Caden
nodded. “The governor is the voice of the opposition.”

Weston
looked down at his hands and sighed. “Durant is no puppet, but he is an
arrogant fool and he is in over his head.”

“
I
always believed he was a self-centered egotist, who enjoyed power, but it
doesn’t matter what we think, the press, at least those outlets not under
Durant’s control, are showing your video over and over again. The silence of
the New York networks on the issue just plays into the public doubts about
Durant. You getting your nose broken by the butt of a Chinese rifle made it all
the more dramatic.”

Weston
moaned. “I didn’t plan on that. I just wanted the treaty stopped.”

“
Well,
I think you accomplished that. As of this morning, Senator Cole of Montana has
spoken against the treaty and five states have appointed new senators and
instructed them to reject the treaty. Those states have also adopted
resolutions to hold elections in November. Another six states are discussing
appointing new senators and holding fall elections.”

“
Good.”

Caden
sighed deeply. “But Durant’s not backing down. His arrest order for the
governor still stands. He’s even threatening to arrest the new senators and he
still says there will be no election. I don’t know what’s going to happen if he
doesn’t back down.”

“
War…that’s
what will happen…civil war.”

“
G
overnor Monroe will be
arrested soon.” Becky pointed her finger at Caden’s nose. “You need to be smart
or you’ll be in the next cell.” She threw up her arms and in an exasperated
voice asked, “How could you point a pistol at a Chinese official?”

“
I
pulled it to stop the soldier, not Major Cheng. My friend, David Weston, had
just been hit and....”

“
They’re
here to help us! And how could you be a part of that awful video?” In a mock
male voice she repeated some of what he said, ‘America is stronger than you think.’”

“
I
believe that, and the rest of what I said about not sacrificing liberty or our
natural resources to China.”

Becky
laughed sarcastically. “Do you really think America is strong now? Millions are
dead, injured or homeless.”

“
People
are returning. Look around, homes and businesses are….”

“
Yeah,
they’re going back in Olympia, Boise, and similar hick towns, but there was
rioting in New York just last week and other large cities like Boston and
Chicago are war zones. Gangs rule entire districts, looting is rampant…troops
are still working their way through Baltimore to Fort Meade. Don’t you see?
We’re on our knees and unless we get massive aid quickly millions will starve.
We need help, not you brandishing a gun or Weston planting his finger in the chest
of a Chinese official. You do realize they are the largest economy now?”

“
China
is using this tragedy to establish a sphere of influence on our west coast. Do
you realize it’s a ninety-nine year treaty?”

“
Do
the math. How long will it take to pay back a trillion dollars?”

Caden
shook his head. “Even so, will the Chinese troops just march back on the boats
when the treaty expires?”

“
Who
knows, but whether they leave or not isn’t going to be my problem, or yours.”

“
So you
don’t care if they stay after this crisis is over?”

“
I
didn’t say that.”

He
shook his head. “I can’t agree to the treaty and just leave it for my children
or grandchildren to deal with the consequences.”

She
placed her hands on her hips. “Right now you don’t have any children and I’m
beginning to think that you may never have any—at least not with me.”

Caden
drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No you and I never will. We moved in
different directions and I don’t see a future for us. It’s not your fault, this
month has changed me…probably changed everyone.”

Becky
stared at him for several moments then spoke with slow deliberation. “You are a
different man, that’s for sure, but you’re the one without a future. Change
your allegiances or you’ll end up in jail.” She turned and marched from the
room.

Caden
walked slowly from the office. He had done the right thing, but wasn’t pleased
with how it went. What he wanted to do was talk with Maria. The phones were
available only for local calls during the day. He had tried last night, but
didn’t connect. He longed to be back there, to hear Maria’s voice. Even the
sound of Adam crying would be welcome right now. Becky was wrong, he did have a
son and he was pretty sure there would be more children, but not with her.

He
looked out a nearby window. The shadows that stretched across the plaza said he
was late. A quick check of his watch confirmed it. He shook his head and
hurried down the hall. By now the emergency session of the legislature had
begun.

As he
passed the grand staircase of the capitol he saw half-a-dozen Guardsman with
M4s in the lobby. Evidently expecting trouble, their attention was focused on
the entryway. Beyond them, just outside, he saw Becky through the glass doors
as she hurried down the steps.

Caden
continued to the House chamber gallery. Two state patrol officers stood watch
at the entrance.
No one would be foolish enough to try and arrest Governor
Monroe here.
He opened the door and stepped in.

The
gallery was full of reporters, officials and apparently average citizens. Caden
found a seat at the back. Ten or more people on the chamber floor were
attempting to speak. After several moments the Speaker pounded his gavel.

Governor
Monroe raised his arm, asking for silence. When the room was somewhat quiet he
began. “By getting the video, David, my chief of staff, has accomplished what I
have been trying to do. He showed the people that President Durant is moving
the nation in the wrong direction. Durant has sacrificed freedom for security
and sovereignty for food.

“
However,
just pointing that out is not enough. We need to show the country the right
direction—that we can have both security and freedom. While it may be hard, we
can recover with our sovereignty intact.

“
We
can restart the economy here in the Northwest and across the nation with just
short term aid and no foreign troops. However, if we can’t do that, then I will
end my campaign and, if Durant still wants it, I’ll surrender for arrest.”

The
gallery and chamber floor erupted in shouts of “No,” and “Never.”

Monroe
scanned the crowd. “Thank you, but the fact remains that either my vision for
the future is right, and America follows me, or it is wrong and I must face the
consequences.”

A
delegate asked to speak and was recognized. “President Durant wants to arrest
our governor because he is the voice, the personification, of the opposition,
but it is not because he opposes Durant, that I support Governor Monroe. I back
him because he believes in the founding principles of our nation.”

Another
representative jumped to his feet. “Yes. Exactly. This is about what kind of
nation we are going to be.” He turned and looked at Monroe. “This isn’t just
about you Governor, but only you can be the voice of it.”

Caden
had studied Locke, Jefferson, Tocqueville and others while in college, but the
role of government had always remained a philosophical question, something
discussed late in the evening over drinks with friends. This was not such a
casual discussion. This was a turning point, a precursor to civil war. Some
would go down the winning road; others would, as Reagan once said, ‘end up on
the ash heap of history.’

Even
with the delegates from metro Seattle dead, injured or scattered, the debate
was contentious and went on for hours, but before it was gaveled to a close,
two-thirds of the legislature backed Governor Monroe. Washington State would
appoint new senators to congress, hold elections as scheduled in November and
the state would not endorse the Sino-American Treaty of Friendship or the new Most
Favored Nation trade agreement.

Caden
buttoned his coat as he stepped into the cold night air. The multitude of
delegates and observers streamed past him out of the building. He sympathized
with those who had just pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor.
But
I need to talk with everyone at home before…before what? Before I get myself
arrested or perhaps killed fighting the mightiest army on the planet.
Glancing
at his watch, he shook his head.
It’s late…early really…I’ll get some sleep
and head home in the morning.
He walked down the steps of the capitol and
proceeded across the plaza toward a hotel that was serving as officer’s
quarters. He was in that no-man’s land of darkness between the lights of the
capitol and the hotel when he heard footsteps behind him.

“
Major
Westmore, we need to talk.”

Caden
turned and, as they approached, could discern the faces of General Collins, the
JBLM base commander who ordered Maria’s release and then kicked both of them off
the base and Adjutant General Harwich of the Washington Guard. He both cringed
and saluted.
What now?

They
were all going to the hotel, but talked little until they were inside. There,
in General Harwich’s room, they talked for several hours.

After
leaving the two generals he lay on the bed thinking about the events of the
day. Sleep came grudgingly.

On the
drive back to Hansen he yawned repeatedly, but not out of boredom. The
uneventful trip allowed too much time for weighty thoughts. Memories of combat
came to mind.
Destruction, blood and death…could all of that be coming here?
He prayed that Durant would change course, allow elections, and a new
congress.

The
sun had not yet peeked above the trees as Caden pulled up the long driveway to
home. Sue sat under a light on the porch with a shotgun across her lap. With
the windows rolled up and the bouncing of the car on the dirt driveway, he
couldn’t hear her announce his arrival, but he could see it. His mother and
father came out on the porch and Maria stepped from the barn carrying what, at
first, looked like a rake or shovel.

Stopping
the car, Caden hesitantly stepped out. Maria was running toward him with a
smile on her face, but with a pitchfork in her hand. Only as she neared did she
drop it and throw her arms around him.

They
held each other tight.

“
I
was…we were worried.”

He
nodded. “I missed you. I tried to call, but couldn’t get through.”

“
What
kept you away?” she finally asked.

“
There’s
a lot going on.”

As they
turned to walk back to the house Maria retrieved the pitchfork.

Gesturing
toward it, Caden asked, “What’s up with that?”

“
When
I go to collect eggs the rooster has been getting aggressive. The two of us are
going to have a little chat.”

Caden
laughed. “Talk to him later. I need to speak with everyone.”

*
              
*
              
*

Trevor
rubbed his unshaven face. “You really think war is coming?”

“
I
hope not, but if President Durant won’t allow elections, or accept the new
congress then, I think, war is likely.”

“
Everything
you’ve told us this morning…the Chinese carving out a sphere of influence on
the west coast, Durant controlling the media and trying to arrest dissenters….”
Trevor shook his head. “I’ve been frustrated with the way this country has been
going for years, but…well, what can we do about it?”

“
That’s
the thing I need everyone to understand.” One at a time, Caden looked at each
member of his family. “Hansen is a small town, out of the way. I can’t imagine
that anything will happen here, but it could, and I’ve been ordered to make
contingency plans and increase readiness.”

Maria
looked concerned. “What does that mean?”

“
Get
the armory ready to fight.”

“
No,”
his mother said resolutely.

“
People
are going hungry,” Sue said. “Medicine is in short supply. Why are we talking
about war?”

“
Because,”
Caden replied, “the events that caused the suffering also put Durant in power.”

Trevor
leaned forward resting his chin in his hand. “We don’t choose the time, only
how we react to it.”

“
We’re
all Americans,” Lisa said. “Will the guys at the armory fight their countrymen?

“
I
don’t know. We did once before, during the Civil War, but I’ve been trying to
figure out a way to explain it to the soldiers.”

There
was silence for a moment.

“
Who
are the rebels?” Maria asked.

Caden
shrugged. “I guess we are.”

Maria
shook her head. “One side is struggling to preserve or restore the nation and
one side is breaking it apart. Which side are you on?”

“
I
want to preserve America.”

All
the family nodded in agreement.

*
              
*
              
*

Caden
sat across the table from Lt. Brooks and First Sergeant Fletcher. “…and so I
believe I must take a stand and do my part to change the direction of this
country. Durant says he is the president because of the constitution, but
ignores entire articles of it. We are a republic, but he has not allowed a new
congress or elections and he is stifling the press.

“
Some
will call it treason,” Caden said with a sigh, “but I am a patriot and I need
your help to strengthen what remains of this nation and restore and preserve
what we have lost.”

Brooks
shifted in the seat. “The convoy came back earlier this week with more food and
the cannery donated a couple thousand cans of vegetables that they couldn’t
ship, but town’s people are still hungry and I’m not sure starving people will
support a war.”

Caden
nodded. “We should be getting more food from Canada, Australia, New Zealand
and,” he shrugged, “maybe even China, but unfortunately Durant chose the time,
we can only respond. Either tyranny or war is coming. Both ways the civilians
will get hurt.”

There
was silence for several moments then Brooks spoke again. “We took an oath to
obey the orders of the President.”

“
Yes,”
Caden said, “but the first line of that oath is that we will support and defend
the Constitution of the United States.”