tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56668382338744778632024-02-20T04:13:35.440-08:00Deep WinterThe Deep Winter Blog contains information related to the series of novels Deep Winter, Shatter, Remnant, and Distance. If you have not yet read these in order, (Deep Winter, then Shatter, then Remnant), PDF's are available at Amazon. ‘Distance’ spans the timeline of the first three books, but is a very different experience than the Drummonds. As of April 2018, Distance is now available in Kindle and hardcopy format on Amazon. Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-66120492672960950772018-04-15T11:11:00.001-07:002018-04-15T11:11:32.955-07:00And we're in print.Distance is now (or will be very shortly) available as hardcopy and in Kindle versions at Amazon. Enjoy!<br />
<br />Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-45350652887945300712018-02-25T16:49:00.002-08:002018-02-25T16:49:39.203-08:00Kindle version now available!Just OK'd the Kindle version of Distance. Print version should be available soon as well.<br />
<br />
Take care, all!<br />
<br />T<br />
<br />Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-14179538447149176182014-07-04T12:51:00.002-07:002014-07-04T12:51:28.479-07:00Distance, Chapter 60<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="tab-stops: center 153.0pt right 4.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">60<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Monday, January Fifteenth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7:40 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Southwest of Montrose, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You make one move
and we’ll blow you in half,” the soldier growled as Doug tried to remain
hidden. “Garcia, Benson, zip him
up and search him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s hands were
pulled behind his back and a heavy zip tie slipped over his wrists and pulled
tightly. Hands roughly grabbed his filthy jacket collar and belt, ripped him
off the ground and to his feet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Got any weapons
on you, asshole?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No sir,” Doug
replied, exhausted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sir! He fuckin’
called me sir!” the soldier in charge said with no small amount of glee. “Get
the Ell Tee up here. We got us a brain here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Brain?” Doug
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, asshole.
You can apparently think. That in the S.A. makes you pretty
fuckin’ rare.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not S.A.,”
Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Right. You’re
wearing what passes for an S.A. uniform, you’ve got S.A. piece-of-crap gear and
a God-damned Russian helmet! You’re way
behind the front lines, and a bunch of your S.A. buddies are roasting on a spit
in the bowels of Hell from action about a mile from here. You probably tossed your weapons when
you ran out of ammo, took off and hid. The Intel boys will have some fun with
you. Now, get your ass moving,” the soldier said as the men behind him jabbed
him in the back with their battle rifles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was marched
out of the ineffective brush-covered hiding place, across what had once been a
farm field. Snow pelted him in the face. He couldn’t feel his feet as he
stumbled forward. The men behind him made comments about what would happen to
him, once the interrogators were done with him. He didn’t know what to think as he moved ahead numbly, eyes
not really seeing the ground in front of him. He hadn’t eaten real food in five
days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The road appeared
suddenly, a snow-filled depression between farm fields; a handful of U.S. Army
vehicles nestled between the hills. Doug noticed the dents; the roughly patched
bodywork and bullet holes as he was loaded on the floor of a ‘truck’
version. Six men piled in around
him, all placed their boots on him as they drove away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He’d been almost a
month in what he regarded as captivity, taken by the S.A. while heading to one
of the observation posts on the northeast edge of the Farm. That December Twenty-second, everything
changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The S.A. patrol
caught him flat-footed, moving across open terrain just after dusk, only fifty
feet from the unmanned observation post, which apparently remained undetected.
He’d been thinking about the report that the Weerstand had just received of the
S.A. nuclear missiles shot down by the U.S. earlier in the month, and the
impact of the detonations in Arkansas. Fifteen thousand Arkansans died in the
blasts instead of millions of dead or injured citizens of San Antonio and
Houston.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A Weerstand linked
cell had been exposed to the plume only hours after the attack, losing three of
five to severe radiation poisoning within a week, the remaining two lingering a
few days longer. A rainstorm
they’d passed through contained the fallout that killed them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One warhead
ground-detonated on the banks of the Arkansas River, just west of Clarksville,
obliterating the town and its remaining residents and creating a huge
radioactive plume that spread to the southeast, catching the Weerstand
contacts. The second, an airburst,
detonated ten miles east of Fayetteville over the small town of Huntsville,
vaporizing it as well, and sending radiation thousands of feet into the
atmosphere and thousands of miles downwind. Doug was thinking about the impacts
of the radioactivity on farming when five rifles were pointed at him from less
than twenty feet away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The men quickly
forced him to the ground, where he was stripped of his winter clothing and
boots, and left him to re-dress in discarded filthy clothing and torn, worn out
boots. His rifle, handgun and pack
were of course taken by their leader, and the remaining men were unquestioningly
following all orders that their ‘Sergeant’ gave them. ‘Perfect RNEW subjects,’
Doug thought. He was thrown into
the back of an old truck, blindfolded, and spent what he guessed was an hour
driving through the Iowa countryside.
At that point, he knew that he’d never see Julie again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eventually, they
arrived at the town of New London, only seven or eight miles from Mt. Pleasant.
Doug was thrown into a motel room, void of furnishings except for a single
cot. The room did have marginal
heat and electricity, along with a bathroom and running water. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He spent the night
there, alone, without food, sleepless and utterly despondent. The windows of the room were barred and
the door locked from the outside. The first morning, the door was opened, a bag
of RNEW products thrown into his room, and the door closed immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So this is how
they do it,” Doug said to himself, wondering if he should just eat it and put
his former humanity behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The packaging was
from his own plant in Des Moines, all familiar products, all with the known
combination codes molded or printed right on the packaging, if one knew what
the icons meant. He selected
non-reactive items from the packages, dumping the rest into the toilet, which
obviously hadn’t been cleaned in quite some time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug spent four
days in the room without contact, but with regular supplies of RNEW-laced food.
On the fifth day, he was ordered to patrol, handed an AK-47 with a duct-taped
stock and three magazines. The
‘Sergeant’ who had captured him didn’t refer to Doug or any of the other men by
name or number, just expletive-laced labels. He got in line with the rest of
the men and headed out, feigning obedient compliance, and adopting the
shuffling manner of the RNEW consumer.
None spoke as they headed down the street on that first day; few words
were ever exchanged on orders of a ‘Sergeant’. Doug noted that any ‘Sergeant’ giving orders received
unquestioning obedience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">New London
might’ve had as many as two thousand citizens Pre-War, that number was now less
than five hundred, and decreasing every day through deaths and other
‘disappearances’, which Doug knew about through overheard conversations between
‘Sergeants’ and ‘officers’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their assigned
patrol route ‘protected’ the rail line through New London, and their ‘HQ’ was
the tiny police station not far from a series of grain elevators. The grain
elevators had long since been emptied Doug learned, and any remaining equipment
stripped and sent ‘East’ for ‘use by the State’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For sixteen hours
a day, Doug and the other ‘fellowmen’ on
his shift walked the mile of tracks in a predictable loop: Railroad tracks to
Pine Street, then to Main, then back to the police station. Anyone on the street was immediately
challenged and harassed, and within a few days Doug could see people hiding
until the S.A. patrols passed, crossing behind them a block or two, going about
their lives, such as they were. The ‘downtown’ buildings, old but once
well-kept brick buildings dated to the mid-eighteen hundreds, and showed no
signs of business activity or life at all. Snow on the streets showed a few paths that the remaining
residents used, no vehicle traffic had been seen since the S.A. occupied the
town. One old tavern building had apparently been the scene of a fire-fight;
hundreds of bullet holes adorned the burned out shell. Another burned out shell had once been
the City office building, probably once home to the mayor’s offices or
administration. The fire had spread to other structures on the block, leaving
only the facades intact after the roofs collapsed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s heart ached
for Julie, their baby due in early February; his despair washing over him each
night without fail. He knew that she’d be grieving his loss, with him ‘going
missing’ probably worse than knowing that he’d been taken by death. The small farmhouse would not be
manageable by Julie alone in advanced pregnancy, and so he presumed she’d moved
in with Peter and Molly, or perhaps with Arie and Maria. There could be no escape from the S.A.
until the weather enabled him to slip away and not be tracked in the snow, but
he’d do so without a food supply to take with him—the S.A. only gave their
troops enough food to consume at that meal and no more; he had no idea where
supplies were stored…so effectively there was none to steal without risking
immediate execution, and none of the fully affected RNEW consumers would
generate enough initiative to even dream of getting more food without orders
from a ‘Sergeant’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Rail traffic was
sparse and unpredictable, with large trains filled with loads of looted
equipment, vehicles and bulk goods moving east; and the occasional fifteen- or
twenty-car train moving military equipment west. Days could pass without a single train, and then five or six
might be running through New London in a matter of hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug knew that
military equipment from France, Germany and Russia had been identified by the
Weerstand, in addition to some American and Canadian vehicles. Aircraft, only seen above New London a
few times in December, all seemed to be smaller fighter aircraft. After the
coming of the New Year, he’d not seen any aircraft whatsoever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On January twelfth
or thirteenth (he’d lost track of the days), troop trains moved through New
London, headed east, and as the last train moved out, Doug and the rest of the
New London contingent were unceremoniously loaded aboard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The men around
Doug of course were all RNEW-controlled, but their ‘look’ was more than just
the addled state of the combination of the drugs; there was something more:
defeat, dejection, fatigue. There were no ‘Sergeants’ in the cold, worn out
passenger car. No one spoke, no
questions were asked, no chatter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Within a few
miles, the train slowed to a crawl.
Doug was seated on the south side of the train, and noted that five
other trains of the six took a siding at some sort of Army installation. Doug’s train, the last in the
line, passed by the others, continuing east through the town of Burlington. The train then turned south along the
Mississippi, crawling along for another forty-five minutes, and then slowed
further in the small town of Sandusky.
Their ‘Sergeants’ from New London appeared from the car in front of
them, and ordered the men from New London off the train.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re being
reassigned,” the least pleasant of the ‘Sergeant’s’ said to the twenty men. “Now
move!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The men quickly
grabbed their rifles and left the train car, stumbling on the icy steps at the
bottom. Doug glanced around at the
terrain and nearby homes as the ‘fellowmen’
assembled in formation. The train pulled out and left them in the cold
afternoon sun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You will be guarding an airport of vital importance to the State! You will be based there! If you see any
civilian at any time, you are to
shoot them on sight! You will raid every
single building we come to on the way to that airport! Anything deemed of
value to the State will be returned to me immediately. Any theft
for the gain of an individual will result in your immediate execution! You
will kill anyone and everyone you come across! You will then burn every
building to the ground. MOVE!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In New London,
Doug had never heard any orders remotely like those just given. Something had changed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There was little
left in the little hamlet of scattered homes worth seizing on behalf of the
State of America; none were occupied, and all were afire within a half hour of
the arrival of the S.A. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">With a few bundles
of loot, the S.A. marched the mile or so to the Keokuk Municipal Airport, less
than twenty miles away from the Segher Farm. Doug’s one surreptitious looted item was a cheap
digital watch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The small airport
had been abandoned when the S.A. ruled private aircraft illegal and had seized
all aircraft—commercial and private—for the good of the State. Within an hour of their arrival, they’d
broken into every building, established their quarters in the old aircraft
rental office, and Doug heard one of the ‘Sergeant’s’ radio S.A. Command that
the airport was ready for use. Not
long afterward, four attack helicopters landed and a convoy that included two
former ‘AmeriMart’ semi-trucks arrived--loaded with ammunition, spare parts,
ground crews and fuel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The helicopters
gave Doug an evil chill. He and Roeland had nearly been blown to pieces by an
S.A. chopper just after guiding the U.S. Army troops across the Missouri border
in early December, the day after the S.A. had launched their nuclear missiles
at the U.S. leadership. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Roeland led the
U.S. troops south after Weerstand operatives contacted friendly forces to the
south. They’d crossed into
Missouri, ironically ordered to rendezvous at Rebel’s Cove Conservation
Area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The twenty-mile
trip on snow covered farm roads during daylight hours was extremely risky and
everyone knew it. Word had come through though that the S.A. was aggressively searching
for U.S. troops west of Des Moines, and working east as one of the Weerstand
cells had been compromised, giving up word that U.S. units were operating in
several Iowa locations. The
rendezvous was completed quickly and efficiently, with Doug and Roeland heading
north and east immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Their luck had
turned though and they were spotted by a low-flying S.A. drone that immediately
circled their position. An incoming round hit the trees just above the truck,
spattering the cab with shrapnel, moments before an unseen helicopter passed
over them from the rear and wheeled around for a shot. Roeland slowed the truck under the
heavy trees, they dumped their gear and then set the truck on cruise control and
they jumped, Roeland meeting up with Doug a moment later, and moved into the
deep brush and snow. The second
pass from the helo came from directly in front of the truck. The detonation was
surprisingly large, far bigger than that of the first missile. The drone made lazy circles over the
burning wreck and the helicopter for the moment disappeared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ve gotta
move. My bet is inside of ten
minutes, this place will be crawling,” Roeland said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If that drone is
up there and has infra-red, we’re dead. It might just be hunting for us, even
now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I know…and our
tracks lead us here. If they are
serious about finding us, they will. Let’s move.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What kind of helo
was that? I’ve never seen anything like it,” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Russian-built.
It’s called the Black Shark,” Roeland said as he hurried into the brush. “A
number of countries operated them, Pre-War. Jake warned me about them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Neither was
dressed in snow camouflage but their winter gear wasn’t a complete failure in
the heavy grey brush and understory.
They headed east to another large conservation area which had the
benefit of even thicker cover, allowing them to be well concealed beneath the
snow-covered trees and brush.
Before heading into what was essentially a snow cave, they could see two
S.A. helicopters circling the location of their burning truck, working out from
that site in a circular search spiral. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How far to the
Farm?” Doug asked as he moved further under the brush, expecting to find some
wildlife hibernating within. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ten or twelve
miles. And, across the river,” Roeland said. “We might be really screwed here,
Doug.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yep.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Those things are
probably second only to the Apache. Pure hunter-killer.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They stayed deep
under cover overnight, breaking cover at first light on a crystal clear,
subfreezing morning. Their ‘patrol
packs’ included the minimum equipment for a few days in the field and a winter
sleeping bag, which was barely adequate to the task. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Aircraft south of
them slowed their progress well into the second day. After the helicopters left the area, they moved north
through the brush and trees, crossing back into Iowa and hoping to scout
potential routes across the Des Moines River. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heading nearly due
north, they arrived at the Des Moines just upstream of Keosauqua through a
heavily wooded state park, about five miles from the Farm. Roeland spotted dozens of S.A. through
his binoculars, covering both sides of the Main Street bridge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No-go this way,”
Roeland said, stowing the binoculars.
“Let’s move back a few hundred yards. Once we’re a little deeper into
dusk, we’ll move across the road, head east and parallel J40,” Roeland said,
showing the route on a waterproof map. “We’ll almost certainly be crossing
through a bunch of drainages, so we’ll need to take our time and stay
dry…getting wet in this weather will kill us. With any luck, we can cross at Bentonsport. There’s no airport there, not much of
anything actually. Two bridges,
one for vehicles, the other foot traffic and bikes back in the day. We could ford the river there, but
we’ll freeze to death if we have to do that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Figure what, a
mile per hour?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If we’re lucky.
Let’s go. It’s getting darker than I thought it would this early.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Five and a half
hours and one MRE later, they approached the J40 bridge over the Des
Moines. Approaching slowly from
the west, they could both hear the S.A. guards complaining about their duty,
while warming themselves around a fifty-five gallon burn-can, which had the
advantage of night-blinding the guards to anything outside of the meager light
from the warming fire. Six guards were present, but the north end of the bridge
was shrouded in darkness. Roeland and Doug move under starlight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Two thousand feet
that-a-way, and we should find the old bridge,” Roeland said. “Six miles or so
more, and we’re home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The old,
truss-style bridge was well over a hundred years old and was apparently deemed
unimportant militarily to the S.A. Doug and Roeland leap-frogged across the
first two spans, and then quickly traversed the remaining sections, finding no
obstacles. They moved quickly through the hamlet unchallenged. The scattered homes in the area were
all dark, only a few vehicle tracks were present in the snow, none of them
recent. They approached the main
road, again Road J40, carefully studying it before crossing into the woods on
the far side. They were just
starting to stand up and begin their crossing when lights appeared from the
east, coming from the town of Bonaparte. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, shit,”
Roeland said. “Back to cover.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They both moved
into the deep vegetation quickly, sprawling flat under the snow-covered
branches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The convoy was
enormous, far larger than anything either had seen previously. Flatbeds with tanks, flatbeds with
armored personnel carriers, artillery, semi-trucks and passenger buses moved
non-stop for nearly an hour. No trailing ‘guard’ vehicle or convoy escorts
trailed it. When it passed, the
night was again perfectly silent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I guess we’ve now
seen what the S.A. has for an army,” Roeland said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The question is,
why in God’s name are they in rural Iowa?” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You can bet they
aren’t only in rural Iowa. This road isn’t a quick way to get anywhere. Maybe
that’s why they’re on it—maybe the U.S. can’t watch everything all the time
since the satellites were taken out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Lot of ‘maybes’
there,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s move. I’d like to find some shelter for a few
hours. I’m about done for. We
gotta get warm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Quite by accident,
they found a long-abandoned cabin within the next large swath of woodland, a
mile and a half north of Bentonsport. The cabin was boarded up save for the
cellar entry, and weeds and brush had grown up around it, illustrating it’s
disuse. The cellar doors opened
easily, rotted wood pulling away from the heavy iron hinges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This just saved
our asses,” Roeland said, tiny LED flashlight illuminating the rough
cellar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ship’s ladder to
the main floor,” Doug said, shining his own flashlight around. There should be a fireplace up there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cabin
apparently hadn’t been used in more than fifty years, ancient magazines and
newspapers piled near the fieldstone fireplace, the four rooms clear of useable
furniture. What remained made decent firewood for a small warming fire,
allowing both men to sleep for a few precious hours. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The morning dawned
clear and cold, but by the time they’d checked their equipment and packed up,
winds picked up from the west, driving the fallen snow into the air and
obscuring their views across the fields and into the woods, much as a ground
fog might. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Reaching the farm
adjacent to the Segher property, none of the customary watch positions were
manned, raising an enormous red flag to both Doug and Roeland. No signs of activity were present
whatsoever, no foot traffic, trails or any vehicle tracks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This doesn’t look
right. None of it looks right,” Roeland said. “Mike and Jerrald should be out here,” referring to fellow
Weerstand members. “Let’s
double time it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Another half-hour,
and they approached the first Segher checkpoint. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was also
unmanned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That, is not what
I wanted to see,” Roeland said. Within a few minutes, they’d leapfrogged across
half of the field in front of the main house. A blast of snow popped up to their right, just as the report
of the rifle sounded in their ears.
They both raised their rifles above their heads, and stood still. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What in the Hell
happened?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have no
idea. There were never any plans
to abandon the observation posts,” Roeland answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The familiar form
of Jake appeared in front of them, recognizing them at a hundred yards. He quickly waved at them and beckoned
them back to the house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“C’mon, boys. Not safe out here!” Jake
yelled. Doug and Roeland moved as
quickly as they could, finally reaching the porch and being pulled inside. Julie stood with a shotgun in the
darkened house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You two are late
for dinner,” Maria said. Julie
rapidly stowed an old over-and-under shotgun and threw herself at Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We will endeavor
to never do that again, Mother,” Roeland said, hugging her as he peeled off his
parka. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t you ever
leave me again,” Julie said, sobbing and whispering in Doug’s ear. “Ever!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As they warmed up
and ate, Arie pulled himself from his sickbed and told Doug and Arie the
reasons for the pullback—The S.A. aircraft were targeting individuals in the
field, seemingly wiping out observation posts systemically, from west to east,
larger cities to small. The
Segher’s had abandoned their observation posts ahead of the aerial patrols,
which flooded the skies above the family farms with small drones and an
occasional gunship.
Properties held by corporate farms were generally uninhabited, and
therefore didn’t merit the attention of the old-fashioned, diverse farms like
the Segher’s. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They learned the
details of the compromise of the Weerstand cell far to the west, resulting in
the capture of another U.S. expeditionary unit. From that point in Guthrie County, west of Des Moines, the
attacks had spread along with brutal S.A. rule in most of the smaller towns
like Fairfield, the larger cities of Des Moines, Iowa City, Davenport and Cedar
Rapids had been hit. Mercenaries—unaffected by RNEW—seemed to be in charge of
lightning-fast search and destroy missions. Rumors had the mercenaries gaining
experience from service in Libya, Syria, Ukraine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
and a dozen other locations around the world where the U.S. had decided to
become involved in affairs that probably didn’t concern them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Within the
timeframe of two days, the face of Iowa had changed forever. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The United States
Army headquarters was a motley collection of tents, shelters and shipping
containers, located on a railroad siding in Fort Madison on the Mississippi.
Doug had been hoisted up to a sitting position once they arrived in the rail
yard, allowing him to look around a little bit and see the ‘Fort Madison’ rail
yard sign. The U.S. position was
only about ten miles from his last assigned guard location at Keokuk. Despite his best efforts, he was still
being moved away from the Farm.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was
off-loaded roughly, the zip tie on his ankles cut, and escorted at gunpoint
into a chain link fenced enclosure, more of a cattle chute leading to a
windowless shipping container.
Before he entered, he noted the odd flag, not what he was used to,
flying on an improvised flagpole a few cars down the track. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can you read?”
Doug was asked as the door closed behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Of course,” he
replied, as the men behind him cut off the zip ties on his hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Follow those
instructions,” a camouflage-clad soldier ordered, pointing to the corrugated
metal wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The instructions
ordered him to strip, shower in the open stall, and dry himself for a physical
inspection. He followed the
orders, languishing in the warm water and soap, neither of which he’d had in a
couple weeks under his S.A. captors. His feet felt like they were on fire with the heat of
the shower.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hurry it up, you
worthless piece of shit!” one of the guards ordered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right,” Doug
said, shutting off the water, and taking a worn, once-white towel to dry
himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Put on these
utilities and get through that door,” he was ordered. He complied without
question, and was followed into the interrogation room by two large armed
soldiers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Behind the second
door was a plain white room, a little more than half the width of the shipping
container, with a desk and two chairs, one of which he sat in, still in a daze.
A door opposite the one he entered immediately opened and a young Army captain
entered, carrying a thin legal pad.
Doug stood as he entered. The captain stopped for a moment and looked at
him with skepticism and a furrowed brow. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I’m Captain
McGowan, United States Army. What is your name and rank?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Douglas Michael
Peterson. As for rank, I don’t have one.
I was shanghaied from our farm south of Fairfield on December
Twenty-second.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So you served
with the S.A.”, McGowan said flatly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I was forced to
serve,” Doug replied, before giving the captain the street address of the
Segher Farm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And yet, you
appear to be able to string words together in a coherent manner. Line grunts of
the S.A. can’t do that. Which makes you an officer,” the captain countered. “Again, what is your rank?!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The S.A. control
their troops and probably the general population through the use of altered
food products that react with other altered food products. When the right combination of products
are supplied, it affects the mind of the consumer. The effects build until you have an order-taking, soulless
drone that will do whatever they’re told to do. It may physically change the
brain, I don’t know. I know which
of these foods will react with others. I avoided those that were catalysts for
the reaction to occur,” Doug explained, before adding that he was covertly
inserted by Regent into the Food and Drug Administration, under President
Lambert, to assist in the distribution of the altered food into the supply
chain for the U.S. military and general population.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Quite the story,”
McGowan said, reviewing his notes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not a story.
Fact. Before the war I worked for
the company that created the product. The product is called RNEW, which was an
acronym for Regent Nutritional Enhancement Workgroup, the department I was in.
The parent company is…or was, Regent Performance Group. I’m pretty sure they
were affiliated with both that New Republic outfit, the S.A., and President
Lambert. I’d heard some of them are with the S.A. government now, but again,
I’m not sure of that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The captains’ eyes
narrowed as he considered the words of the prisoner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I supplied the
information to our underground network and to U.S. troops from our farm, when
they were trying to get back from behind the lines. The underground network is called the Weerstand. That word means ‘resistance’ in Dutch. One of the
men on the farm also had the ability to locate and identify S.A. weapons and
supplies through embedded RFID-like chips in their equipment. ” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Through what
technology?” McGowan asked, still obviously highly skeptical.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A hand held
reader camouflaged as an old Palm PDA. Someone ought to have record of it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You said you met
with U.S. troops?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Early
December. We met them on December third.
Sergeant by the name of Case. He was a Ranger out of Washington State.
We got them across the border into Missouri the day after the S.A. fired their
nukes toward Texas.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You two keep an
eye on this one,” the Captain said to the two guards as he stood. “I’ll be back
in a few minutes.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug sat for he
guessed a half-hour; the men behind him unmoving in their observation of
him. The door opened, and McGowan
and another officer entered, this one a bird-colonel. Doug stood as they
entered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This man claims
to be a Douglas Peterson, Colonel. Associated with some underground group
called the Weerstand,” Captain McGowan explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And yet you were
caught in full S.A. regalia, near a hardened S.A. encampment, less than two
miles from the a large part of the S.A. First Defense Force,” the Colonel
stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” Doug
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You were captured
south of Montrose, Iowa. North of the S.A. forward air-support base, formerly
Keokuk municipal airport. You, along with several hundred other S.A. prisoners
captured within a ten mile radius, appear to be deserters from the former First
Defense Force.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I didn’t know
anything about an army near us. We
were only at that airport for a couple of days,” Doug said. We were to guard the airport,” he said,
omitting the orders to destroy all buildings between the rail line and the
airport. “And what do you mean, ‘former?’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They were
destroyed early this morning. We have a handful of survivors from that
immediate area, including their commanding general,” McGowan stated, “Along
with a number of their officers. And you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So, you can
understand our, ‘curiosity’ at your
story,” the Colonel said skeptically, setting a thick folder down on the table,
but keeping the contents hidden.
Doug noted his name on the worn uniform, ‘Drummond.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I explained to
Captain McGowan, Colonel, who I am and where I’m from. There should be some way
to verify that with your own people. Check my I.D. file with the Federal
information system. Take me back
to the farm that I live on. The data that I told the Captain about is there.
It’s fifteen or twenty miles from here,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s no such
thing as a ‘Federal system’ any longer.
The S.A. saw to that when they pulled out of Denver. As for ‘taking you home’, we don’t exactly run a shuttle service,” Drummond spat at him. “Right now, I’m rounding up transport
for your commanding general and some of his surviving senior officers to be
shipped to San Antonio. I’m inclined to put you on the same transport.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have no idea of
any S.A. generals or any other officers.
The S.A. we were with was run by men that called themselves
‘Sergeants’,” Doug said. “From
December until two days ago, I was in New London. I never even fired my rifle
except in training.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ship him with
Slocum,” Colonel Drummond said, moving to the doorway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Slocum?” Doug
asked, stunned. ‘It
couldn’t possibly be,’ he thought. He felt himself involuntarily push back
from the table. “A.A. Slocum is their General? Good God,” he said, eyes wide at the revelation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, so you do
know him then,” McGowan replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“He was on the
board of directors at Regent….my former employer. Chrome-plated asshole,” Doug said, still staring off into
nothing. “He’s really a General?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“General Slocum
has been in command of an army that is responsible for the deaths of well more
than a hundred thousand Americans. Possibly twice that, we don’t know. The men
under his command have done unspeakable acts of savagery,” the Colonel said,
opening the file and sliding it toward Doug’s side of the table, spreading
several photographs apart for full clarity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug looked at the
first photograph and immediately vomited bile from his empty stomach on the
wall next to him uncontrollably, and pushed away from the table.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Those were six
year olds attending school in Van Meter, Iowa. The S.A. raped them,” the Colonel said, spinning one
photograph toward Doug, “Before beheading them. This one’s from Nebraska. School kids and their teachers who were
trying to shelter them were locked in a room and then grenades were thrown in,”
he said as another picture was tossed at him. “Here’s one where they used pregnant women for target
practice. This one has a whole
church full of people burned alive. This isn’t propaganda. Our unit saw all of
this first-hand.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I didn’t have anything to do with any of that!” Doug screamed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You were captured
in an S.A. uniform within running distance of where the S.A. was thrashed this
morning. You’ve admitted serving with them…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I was captured
and forced to serve!” Doug said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, I bet they
worked you over real hard, too,”
Drummond said. “Captain, get
him into a detent cell like the others,” he ordered. “You, ‘Peterson’ or
whatever your real name is, will probably take a drop from a short rope one of
these days.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday, January Seventeenth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">06:00 hours<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Third Washington Command Center<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fort Madison, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Peterson!” Doug
heard through the steel door. “You’ve got two minutes,” the guard said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Two minutes until what,’ he wondered. He’d spent
two days in solitary confinement, a five gallon bucket serving as his toilet,
white steel walls and a single, lighted ceiling panel above him, never
darkened. His meals were delivered
through a slot in the bottom of the door, water provided via a spigot on the
wall, that only dispensed a gallon of water per day. He rose from the thin cot, and pulled on thin, industrial-felt
slippers, and waited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Nothing in the room
could be torn into anything that could be used as a noose; no belts, straps or
metal of any kind. Had he tried to
harm himself, the eye behind the black camera dome above him would’ve likely
resulted in an immediate visit from one of the uniformed mountains known as
guards. He’d had nothing but time
to consider his circumstance, trying to make sense of the rushed battle around
Keokuk before the S.A. troops bolted before artillery shells walked across the
entire runway; of the fragments of the conversations he’d heard from the U.S.
troops. There wasn’t enough that
he’d heard to make sense of it all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He heard the lock
bars slide, and the door opened.
“Get this gear on. Now,” the guard ordered, tossing in a pile of
clothing, including a parka and boots. “Don’t try anything stupid.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No sir,” Doug
replied as the door closed. He
stripped off the orange coverall and underwear and changed into new clothing,
tying boots that fit him perfectly as the door opened again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“With us,” the
guard ordered. “Get that parka
on.” He knew better than to ask
questions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The temperature
outside was well below zero, a bitter wind kicking up the snow again to just
above ground level, a freezing fog under the January sun. Doug was escorted by the two guards
across an open compound, into a rail car that obviously served as the base of
operations for the camp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Inside, to the
left. Fuck up, and we kill you.
Got it?” one of the guards said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Got it,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two more guards
met him inside the converted shipping container serving as a mobile office of
some sort. The guards directed him
to a small conference room, where his obvious choice was to sit and wait…for
something. He didn’t have to wait
long. His original interrogator,
Captain McGowan, entered the room. Doug stood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sit, Mister
Peterson,” McGowan said, less of an order and more of a suggestion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks,” he
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One of the hats I
wear in this command is logistics. The other is intelligence. We have found some interesting
information about you in files recovered from the field.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Recovered?” Doug
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The S.A. command
center for the First Defense Force. It’s remains are not far from here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sorry. I
don’t understand.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You remember your
interrogation?” McGowan asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, yeah.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Third
Washington—this Brigade—defeated First Defense early Sunday morning. As the
Colonel said, several of their leadership were captured alive. We obtained unlock codes on their
surviving data files and found some interesting information about you after a
bit of digging.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What kind of
information?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It appears to
corroborate statements you made about not being in the S.A. You are allegedly in North Dakota at
this time and an ‘enemy combatant’ as labeled by none other than General
Slocum. Your file is rather
remarkable.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I left Denver
back in September. Regent wanted
me to go to Columbus, I assume to mine me for information about the FDA and
Federal operations. They were
tracking me through surveillance cameras along the way. One of their inside men
felt he owed me a favor and created the North Dakota rabbit trail. I came back
to Iowa instead to be with my wife and family.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you know a
woman named Camille Simpson?” McGowan asked. Doug’s jaw dropped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, I…used to,” he
replied, explaining his brief, highly physical relationship with his former
girlfriend. McGowan took notes,
pencil on legal pad. “Now, why do
you ask about her? I haven’t seen her in almost a year.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">McGowan didn’t
answer for a moment. “Do you know where
she is at this time?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have no
idea. She went off her meds, which
I didn’t even know she was on, and the last time I saw her was in Chicago.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It appears that
she may have been a recipient of your mind-altering cocktail, courtesy of your
former employer. Further, she is
now, or was until Sunday morning, sleeping with General Slocum. She likely died in the attack.” McGowan said flatly. “I’m betting you had no idea about any
of this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have nothing to
say. I…” Doug paused. “How could this be?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Slocum states
that they met through some athletic club. Does the ‘Lakeshore Club’ ring any
bells?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cammie worked
there. So did my wife,” Doug said numbly. “I’m sorry. This is all too much.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Coffee?” McGowan
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please,” Doug
answered, still stunned. “You have coffee?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah,” McGowan
answered, motioning to one of the guards, who opened a door and a carafe and
mugs were handed in. “Miss Simpson is a relatively minor wrinkle in the larger
scheme of things, but I thought you ought to know,” McGowan said, pouring two
cups of coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So you’ve got
Slocum alive?” Doug said as the
door opened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“For now,” Colonel
Drummond answered. “He’ll have a
date with eternity soon enough.” Doug stood. Although he didn’t know the man, Doug thought he looked
tired and drawn; his close cropped, mostly grey hair barely covering a long
scar across his scalp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning,
Colonel,” Doug said. His voice sounded foreign as he heard himself speak. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister Peterson,”
Drummond replied, pouring his own cup of coffee. “Several of my staff have been
reviewing S.A. files most of the night to check into your story. Oddly enough,
you appear to be telling the truth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s easier to
remember,” Doug said, taking a sip of the black coffee, and closing his eyes.
“I’m just trying to get home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“In our first
meeting, you mentioned some files that you said you’d passed on to an Army unit
in your area,” Drummond asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. A Sergeant. His name was Gunner
Case…from,” Doug struggled to remember, “Fort Lewis I think. We gave him the
information on RNEW, and data on S.A. equipment that we’d collected…I’d
collected. From Iowa to Denver and back.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sergeant Case was
killed in action along with his squad,” Drummond replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We…we got them
into Missouri. They were safe,” Doug said, leaning forward on the table.
Another blow to his psyche. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Their Blackhawk
was taken out by a Russian-made drone south of Union Ridge, Missouri, probably
not long after they made their rendezvous. The information you had supplied never made it out of their
hands,” Drummond said. “We are
pretty interested in what you can tell us, Mister Peterson.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They were just
kids in that squad,” Doug said with a thousand-yard-stare. “Case’s men. Half of
them played video games while they stayed with us. Barely out of school.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drummond and
McGowan noticed it and didn’t press on for a moment. “Mister Peterson, was the
S.A. unit you were with involved in any action?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Looted some
buildings, burned some others but that was just down by the airport. No one on
my shift ever fired a weapon in anger that I know of, certainly not in New
London. Other than training…we fired one mag a week, maybe fifty yards range.
AK-47’s. No handgun training. Other than a few people in New London, we never
even saw anyone other than S.A.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So, what can you
tell us about this stuff they’re eating?” McGowan asked. Drummond sat on the
edge of the table with his arms folded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The marketing
stated that the RNEW product could be used as an extender, and an enhancement
to flavoring, along with adding nutritional value to raw materials that might
have had less than sufficient flavor or nutrition. In reality, the products are catalytic. All of the Regent
products—with the exception of what they called ‘Preferred’ products, were
adulterated. The ‘Preferred’ stuff
was available to the execs and people that they wanted to use in leadership
positions. I was one of them. Lucky, I guess.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You said
‘catalytic,’” Drummond stated. “Explain, please.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Components of the
food line when combined with the enhanced water or vitamin drink line
react. If you have food or drink
alone, it won’t react….at least, that’s what was being produced last Fall. You
couldn’t combine them at that point without negating the reaction after a few
hours. There was no way to preserve a combined product,” Doug explained. “I worked in the Des Moines plant. Ran
it, actually.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How widespread is
this stuff?” McGowan asked. Drummond was drilling into him with unblinking
eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Last year it had
been distributed most heavily east of the Mississippi, but really they were
trying for every major population center. Their breakout though came in relief
supplies and MRE’s. My job with
Regent was to do what was necessary to get RNEW products into the military supply
chain. Covertly I did the
opposite. I provided the formula and the confidential marketing strategy to the
U.S. via the Weerstand early last fall. September maybe,” Doug said, trying to
remember. “Obviously it didn’t get through.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You worked for
the FDA as well?” Drummond asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. A Regent
plant to influence the Cabinet level if I could or at least direct things
Regent’s way at the agency level. FDA was located inside Regent’s Denver
building. Regent knew everything
that the FDA was doing. They had
real time surveillance on everything and everyone of import, which didn’t
really include me. In Denver I found it pretty easy to keep RNEW products in
the east and keep the West Coast clean,” Doug said, taking a long drink of
coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Does this information
still exist? These formulas?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure. The Des
Moines plant had the information of course, but I have no idea if that plant
still exists. I had copies on the
farm where my wife and I lived though,” Doug said, giving them the address,
barely fifteen miles away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Get him some
breakfast, Gerry. Regular rations. We’re going for a drive,” Drummond said,
standing to leave. Doug rose as well, but couldn’t speak before the Colonel
left the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Am I to go
along?” Doug asked quietly, thinking the unthinkable. ‘Home.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I would suspect
so, Mister Peterson,” McGowan said.
“I understand your wife and family may still be on that farm, but…I
would not be optimistic. This
Brigade has seen unspeakable destruction and loss of life and the swath that
the S.A. cut through the country is huge. There are no guarantees of what might
have become of your people.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I understand,”
Doug said, heartsick but mind still racing ahead. ‘Could she still be
there? Is she O.K.?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday, January Seventeenth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">9:30 hours<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was in the
left rear seat of a Humvee, the Colonel in the front, being driven by a young
Lieutenant. Captain McGowan was in
the back with Doug, reviewing a thick sheaf of papers. Drummond and McGowan wore radio
headsets; Kittrick did not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Heading south from
the railyard command center, the driver headed through a checkpoint, and Doug
found himself in the midst of a blackened wrecking yard of military
equipment. Dozens of Army soldiers
were working. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What happened
here?” Doug asked. He realized this wasn’t the brightest of questions he could
have asked. The answer was obvious
a moment later. Frozen bodies
lined the road—many were in pieces. “Oh my God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This was the last
command of General Slocum. The remains of the State of America First Defense
Force,” Drummond replied. “Our men
are clearing the field of munitions in addition to retrieving human remains for
burial. There are more than eighty thousand dead here, Mister Peterson. We killed them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A scarred
Caterpillar bulldozer carved a trench, cutting through the mud and a layer of
frozen earth, obviously excavating a mass grave. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There are three
hundred main battle tanks out here, hundreds of trucks, artillery, and one
hundred and five semi-trucks that were loaded with supplies, ammunition, and
spoils of war. We’d like you to take a look at some of the food products,”
McGowan said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, sure.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Next left, Mister
Kittrick,” Drummond ordered. They
turned into a frozen, rutted road, where a semi-trailer had apparently be cut
in half, lengthwise. The Humvee
stopped and they made their way to the wreck. Regent-made MRE’s littered the ground. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“These are all
Regent,” Doug said. “Here’s their
marking,” Doug pointed out to the officers. “You shouldn’t use any of this. I don’t know what inside of
these might be safe.” It was only
at that moment that Doug looked up and saw the field of dead S.A., spreading a
thousand feet before him. A frozen arm reached toward the weak January sun,
just feet away from him. “This
is…so much to take in,” Doug said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, it is.”
Drummond said. “None of us will be
the same.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Everyone takes a
shift in the field, Mister Peterson. Officers included,” McGowan said. “We’ll be out of body bags by noon
today.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The drive to the
farm was like a trip back in time for Doug, familiar landmarks rising to his
vision, and his heart beat faster as he recognized roadside trees, bends in the
road, and the driveway ultimately came into view. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His heart sank as
the remains of the main house came into sight—the driveway obstacles had been
shoved out of the way, the high berms had holes plowed through them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“NO!” Doug cried
out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The home was
burned to the foundation and had collapsed on itself. A Third Washington patrol unit had arrived ahead of
them and had fanned out and secured the area. </span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drummond, McGowan and Lieutenant Kittrick were quiet as they
pulled up to the remains of the huge equipment shed. Huge pieces of the sheetmetal skin were blown thirty feet
away from the building, the remaining steel frame was twisted and burned. Doug could see the remains of Arie’s
truck in the wreckage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Report,” Drummond
asked a sergeant in command of the advance unit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No signs of
activity sir, friendly or otherwise.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did you check the
other houses? The cellar? The barn?”
Doug said through tears. He was beginning to hyperventilate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Our men are at
this time, sir,” the sergeant replied.
Drummond didn’t look optimistic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister Peterson,
where might you have hidden those files?” McGowan asked, ignoring Doug’s missing
family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There was a copy
in the equipment shed. And in my own place. It’s over near the treeline,” he
said, pointing toward the location of his and Julie’s home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Baker, get a
couple of men over that way,” the sergeant said to his men. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where would your
family have hidden from the S.A., Mister Peterson?” Drummond asked quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There are hidden
cellars in a couple of the homes, and one of the old root cellars, up that
draw, about two hundred yards that way,” Doug said, pointing to a map of the area,
showing the soldiers the locations Peter and Molly’s home and three other
Segher houses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right, let’s
go have a look up that draw,” Drummond said, taking an old scoped bolt-action
rifle with him. “Gerry, with us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Colonel, we’ve
got company,” Lieutenant Kittrick said, pointing out a lone civilian, arms
raised, currently being searched by one of Drummonds soldiers as another held
him at gunpoint.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Recognize him,
Mister Peterson?” Drummond asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” Doug said,
still trying to process what he was seeing all around him. “Uh, no. I don’t
think so,” he said, finally clearing his vision enough to see the man. The man was bundled up in an old wool
greatcoat, a clerical collar barely visible; a heavy fur cap pulled low over
his ears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Clear, sir,” the
soldier who had searched the man said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Advance,”
Drummond said. “Identify yourself,
please.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Pastor Roger
Macklin. I’m from Ottumwa.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What are you
doing here?” McGowan asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m trying to
help the survivors. Provide comfort if possible. I heard there was a need over
near Fort Madison.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You could say
that,” Drummond said. “There are north of eighty thousand dead there, and three
thousand to bury them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I had heard of a
battle,” the pastor replied. “I hope that I may help.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Right now, we’re
looking for this man’s family. This was his farm. Do you know what happened here?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. I don’t think there is anyone alive
here though,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry. I’ve been across this area for a
couple of days. I have a pickup truck and camper about a mile west of here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you…seen any
bodies?” Doug asked, heart pounding in his ears. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Unfortunately
yes. I found them early this
morning. They are…up this way,” Pastor Macklin said, point up the draw where
Doug had hoped the Seghers had found refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug dropped to
his knees, unable to go on. The pastor immediately took Doug’s hands and did
his best to calm him down and pray with him. His mouth was open as if to scream, his eyes wide as in
terror. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drummond and
McGowan were sympathetic, but there was little they could do. They proceeded up the shallow
draw, and saw the low concrete roof of the old cellar, stained with smoke above
where a door should’ve been. The
twisted steel door lay fifteen feet away. It appeared to have been blown off
from an explosion within the cellar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This looks
familiar,” Colonel Drummond said. “Load up the room with civilians and grenade
them. Inside, Kittrick?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes sir. There’s gotta be fifteen or twenty dead
in there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How long?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can’t say,
sir. I’d guess weeks. Obvious animal activity after they were
killed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Any women? Can
you tell?” Drummond asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not enough left
to tell, at least from what I can see, sir. It’s pretty bad inside.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Weapons?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, sir. Looks like a couple of AK receivers and
barrels. Some of the bodies have
boots that look S.A., but that doesn’t really mean anything. This was more of a
fire than explosion sir. I think the heat blew that door off. Flash fire or
something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’re going to
need a detail here to remove those bodies, Lieutenant. Once they’re out of
there, Peterson should see them,” Drummond said, looking inside the cellar. “He
doesn’t need to see the removal. I
expect that his own house is ash, too.
There’s nothing we’re going to retrieve obviously. The locusts have been
through here, stripped it clean and killed everyone they came across. Again,”
he said, dropping to a knee, seeing something in the snow a few feet outside
the doorway. He picked through the snow cover, and retrieved a tiny, light blue
knitted cap, sized for a newborn. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is it of more
comfort to you to think that your family might yet be alive, or to confirm that
they are dead?” Colonel Drummond asked no one in particular, brushing the snow
from the tiny knitted cap. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“At this point I
think the only comfort to be found would be the hope that his loss will lessen
with a great distance of time,” McGowan replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A great distance
indeed,” Drummond said, folding the tiny cap and laying it in the snow where
he’d found it. “Peterson might recover from this, although God alone knows how.
What I’m looking at here will destroy what’s left of him. Central Command wants him on his way to
San Antonio on the next outbound.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“After that?” McGowan said, omitting the more formal
‘sir’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“‘Everybody,
sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences.’ </i>I think Robert Louis Stevenson said that,” Drummond
said as several soldiers appeared, donning thick rubber gloves before they
entered the burned out cellar. “If
everything he said is on the up and up, he had ample chances to get out of
harms’ way, and didn’t. Playing
along with the S.A. probably got everyone he cared about killed, and you could
make the case that he materially assisted in the S.A. plan to conquer the
entire continent.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You think San
Antonio sees it that way?” McGowan asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t have any
reason to believe otherwise. They want him for what he knows about this RNEW
product, but the chances of him ever seeing daylight as a free man are I’d
suspect, damned near non-existent. Once the politicians get wind of him it’s
blood in the water and the water’s full of sharks.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“He’s not that
bastard Slocum,” the captain replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, he’s
not. Slocum and his surviving
minions will pay with their lives, after the interrogators are done with them
and some short, sweet war-crimes trials. Peterson’s coin is on the edge. Heads, he’s an S.A. collaborator and
could swing from his neck for it. Tails, he’s a tragic hero who found himself
in the middle of something bad and tried to do something about it and paid for
it with everything. Which way it
goes will be driven by what is politically advantageous, not what’s factual,
and certainly not what might be called ‘true’.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I suspect that
the S.A. leadership would consider Third Washington a bunch of butchers,”
McGowan stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There is no doubt
of that,” Drummond replied. “Probably a healthy bounty on all of us.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Colonel, Command is trying to get in
touch with you, sir. Is your headset working?” Kittrick asked, holding a
hand-held radio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Seems my gear
works while I’m actually in camp, and not anywhere else, Mister Kittrick.
What’s the word?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’re being
ordered to stand down, sir. Graves Registration and Munitions Disposal units
will be on site by twelve hundred hours, and we’re to be reassigned.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Gerry, perhaps our </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">own<i> banquet of consequences </i>awaits us,” Drummond said. “Let’s give Mister Peterson our
condolences, and see if Command wants to put us on trial.”</span></span><!--EndFragment-->
Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-42973416458787048082014-07-02T08:11:00.002-07:002014-07-02T08:11:33.580-07:00Coming up...Chapter 60 will be uploaded by Friday, July 4th. It's taken me awhile to find enough time to finish it up, but I think it'll be worth it....keep your eyes peeled. This will conclude 'Distance'...but not the story.<br />
<br />
Thanks, everyone--<br />
<br />
TomTom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-48080128123062166592014-04-19T21:06:00.001-07:002014-04-19T21:06:15.455-07:00Distance, Chapter 59
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>2836</o:Words>
<o:Characters>16168</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>134</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>32</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>19855</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1539</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="tab-stops: center 153.0pt right 4.25in; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">59<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday, December Third<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3:20 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Hamilton, Illinois<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The backed up
single-file traffic on Second Street, which led to the bridge over the
Mississippi probably meant that the S.A. was searching vehicles or at least had
some sort of checkpoint in place. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug was behind
the wheel for the return trip, Peter in the passenger seat, and their wives in
the back rows of the Suburban with Sergeant Case and two of his men joining him
in the remaining seats—dressed in civilian clothing, but ready with their weapons
if needed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the U.S.
recon unit had positioned themselves in the twenty-four foot trailer, making
the hasty trip west before the S.A. could react…or so they thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Case communicated with the rest of his
men via a small, short-range headset radio. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Can’t see
anything ahead, Sergeant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too many
trees until we’re nearly to the bridge approach,” Peter told Case. “Snow’s not
helping things, either.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Smoke up ahead.
Look over to the side there,” Doug said, pointing over the grey trees. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The row of
vehicles moved slowly, no more than a few miles per hour, creeping ahead to the
southwest. As they crept ahead, they stopped briefly on railroad tracks, which
also passed over the Mississippi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Case was the first to notice the source of the smoke.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Look to your
right—down track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s your
smoke,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug looked left
briefly, seeing the glow of numerous rail cars burning and derailed, as the
traffic urged him on. No emergency lights or response crews were visible. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You think they derailed,
or is the bridge gone?” Peter asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Traffic wouldn’t
be moving if our bridge was out, but no telling on the rail bridge…for a couple
more minutes anyway,” Doug replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They gradually
made their way to the bridge approach, seeing another reason for the traffic
slowdown: A tractor-trailer had wrecked, partly rolling over on side, crushing
the bed of a pickup. Again, no emergency vehicles had responded, but several
other vehicles had stopped to help. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What happened to
that truck? The road is straight here,” Molly asked innocently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Look at the
trailers. Look at those holes!” Peter said as they drew closer. The cargo
trailers were peppered with large-diameter holes…running the length of both
trailers and exiting out the exposed side, now facing the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Case didn’t say anything as they passed
the truck. A wall of windblown smoke from the derailed train blocked the view
ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter wisely shut off the
heater and defroster, so as not to bring the smoke inside the Suburban. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You might want to
let the cars ahead clear, and get through that smoke quickly,” Case said. “We
don’t know what’s in it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug realized the
smoke could be toxic, with unknown chemicals from the burning rail cars. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Gotcha,” he
replied, double-checking the air vents on the dash. The traffic ahead continued
to move slowly, disappearing through the smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug waited a few more seconds, and goosed the accelerator,
causing the four-wheel drive to break loose on the icy bridge approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They passed through the wall of smoke
without incident, seeing the carnage to the right as they cleared the oily
smoke on the other side of the bridge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good God,” Peter
said, the first to speak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
derailed train hung from the wreckage of the rail bridge. Large sections of the
bridge were missing, and those that remained were heavily damaged by the
accordion reaction of the rail cars as they piled up. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Air Force was
busy today, looks as if,” Gunner Case replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We bombed our own
bridge?” Molly asked incredulously. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No, the United
States Air Force bombed a railroad bridge being used by the enemy to transport
goods, troops and materiel to the front,” Case answered. “And about damned
time.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As they
rubbernecked the scene, Doug nearly didn’t notice the cluster of S.A. troops at
the far end of the bridge, who were also gawking at the wreckage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several were leaning on the bridge
rails, AK-47’s slung over their back and hanging behind them. The Suburban and
trailer passed unchallenged and unnoticed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK, I can breathe
now,” Doug said, flipping on the defroster as the S.A. trucks and men
disappeared behind them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Downtown Keokuk
was gloomy with no electric lights showing, snow drifted over the curbs and
filling doorways of the closed shops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Traffic thinned out as the bridge traffic dispersed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug and Peter debated taking the side
roads rather than the highways, and the chances of ‘issues’ with the trailer in
the snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They elected to take U.S.
Sixty One north at first, and work west, staying on some of the larger County
roads. With luck, they’d be back at the Farm in another hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One hour pushed
into two, as the roads grew increasingly icy and the wind picked up, the
Suburban and trailer both sliding dangerously. Finally, nearing six p.m., they
pulled into the main entry to the Farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By then, Case had been filled in on the operations of the Farm,
security, and patterns of S.A. movements locally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roeland met them at the gate, naturally surprised by the
towed trailer. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What’s going on?”
he asked through the drivers’ window. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We have some
guests. United States Army,” Peter replied. Roeland stepped back in shock. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“And welcome they
are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Drive all the way into the
equipment shed, trailer and all. I’ll signal ahead.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Will do,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He drove ahead
through the heavy snow, steering into the cavernous and dark equipment shed,
where Maria met him and guided him all the way into the building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The huge sliding door closed behind
them, and the lights snicked on as they exited the Chevy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maria, we have
some guests,” Peter said, introducing Sergeant Case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining men piled out of the travel trailer, fanning
out to cover the room. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We will need more
seats for dinner,” she replied dryly. “Welcome to you all,” she said, nodding
her head slightly. “You ladies head into the house. You both look green.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Lunch isn’t
sitting well,” Molly replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That, and a touch
of car-sickness,” Julie said. “And my back hurts.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Ian managed to
sleep all the way back, so I’m sure that means I’ll be up most of the night,”
Molly said, taking Ian, car seat and all, from the Chevy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Go have some tea.
Dinner is ready and on the stove,” Maria said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Quietly, though. Arie is sick.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Is it serious?”
Peter asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It is a cold at
the moment. I pray it does not get worse. He is an uncooperative patient, as he
has always been.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maria, we need to
meet with the Weerstand. I’m sure you understand why,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It has been an
eventful day. I will have Roeland contact Jakob. Peter, I will need some help
in the kitchen. Do you mind? Douglas, see to the comforts of our guests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It may be best to keep them in the shed
for the time being,” Maria said. “There have been a number of small aircraft
passing over today. Jakob doesn’t know if they are watching us.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Drones, Ma’am?”
Case asked, and introduced himself. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Jakob believes
so. Several jet aircraft as well, again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jakob did not recognize them, however.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Thank you,
ma’am,” Case replied, turning to his men and speaking to them in a conversation
to quiet to hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Several went
into action immediately, retrieving equipment, and began to set up the
gear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maria and Peter headed
to the house. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sergeant, you
might not get much of a signal in here. It’s been set up as a pretty large
Faraday cage,” Doug stated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Our gear should
be able to receive signals in here, sir,” one of the men replied quite
confidently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good luck,” Doug
said. “The guy who designed it used to work for the NSA. I’m pretty sure that
his defense is better than your offense,” he said, looking at the soldier setting
up a laptop, connected to a non-descript flat box with a flip up antenna. Doug
waited for the expected outcome, and was not disappointed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sarge, uh, we’ve
got nothing. Not minimal, nothing,” the soldier stated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We used this room
to analyze S.A. bugs planted in my old Jeep, as well as in captured S.A.
equipment. We couldn’t really do that if there was a snowball’s chance in Hell
of a signal getting out,” Doug said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Also, if that’s a passive receiver, you’re probably OK to use it. If
it’s a transmitter, it puts the Farm at risk.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s not a
transmitter like anything out in the wild, sir,” the soldier said. “There are
six of these in the world. No way the S.A. could crack it.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Where were the
components made?” Doug asked calmly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What?” Case and
the soldier answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“Jake found
signals emanating from what appeared to be an average circuit board. A </span>circuit
board.<span style="font-style: normal;"> Nothing even soldered to it…just a
printed circuit. It was </span>light and heat activated.<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where was it made? </span>China<span style="font-style: normal;">,” Doug said, pausing. “So are you </span>sure<span style="font-style: normal;"> that you know that thing isn’t a great big flare in
the dark?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Both looked at
Doug for a moment, and then at the box and the laptop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maybe let Jake
crack that open and take a look before you fire it up out in the field,” Doug
said. “Meanwhile, there’s a restroom and shower through that door, and the door
to the bunkhouse is over to the right. Probably need to leave the door open to
get some heat in there, though. No hot water without heating up the woodstove
over there,” he said, pointing to a modern woodstove and boiler. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sarge, we’re
ready for patrol. Tired of sitting around,” one of the men said from across the
shop. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Rothe, shut the
Hell up,” Case barked. “They’ve been running LP/OP’s longer than you’ve been
out of Basic,” he said, referring to the numerous observation posts on the Farm
and throughout the extended area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“And that grandmother can probably outshoot your sorry ass.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug held back a
smile, knowing that in her younger days, Maria’s hobby had been a local version
of biathlon, but used thirty-ought sixes at a minimum distance of five hundred
yards, rather than twenty-two caliber rifles at a hundred-sixty. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Several of Case’s
men checked out the bunkhouse, laughing that they’d be sleeping in </span>‘Air
Force quarters’ <span style="font-style: normal;">as the beds were so nice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The men enjoyed
and praised the Segher’s hospitality as Maria and Peter had served numerous
quarts of hot, home-canned beef stew, and the majority of the freshly baked
bread for the week was consumed in a single meal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Molly took a quick nap as Julie baby-sat Ian. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The restless Army
squad wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer regarding night watch and security
rotation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roeland and Jake briefed
the men on the locations of the observation posts, signals procedures, expected
weather, and recent events on other allied farms. Several of the men had to be
taught on how to use the ancient, hard-wired Army-issue field telephones,
unused by the military for decades, but perfectly serviceable for the task at
hand on the Farm. Four of the men would take the eight p.m. to midnight shift;
the other the midnight to six shift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Roeland explained that the S.A. activity after two a.m. usually dropped
off to undetectable levels—on more than one occasion, the Weerstand had found
S.A. asleep on their assigned patrol locations…and occasionally killed them for
their inattention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The farms
usually ratcheted down guard duties during that time as well, getting ready for
the coming work day, as much as that might be possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pattern was well established, and
there was no reason to think that the S.A. would change, especially in ‘farm
country.’ <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jake carefully
cracked open both the laptop and the mysterious black box carried by the
communications specialist in Case’s squad, under watchful eyes of numerous soldiers.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As suspected, the
raw circuit boards were indeed sourced from China, but Jake could not find any
evidence of surreptitious tracking or transmitting ability. He reassembled both
units, clearing Specialist Chris Evans to contact U.S. Army command. Despite
numerous attempts to make contact, Evans was unsuccessful in raising anyone in
other patrols or anyone on the designated satellite frequencies, all the way up
the food chain to San Antonio.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Case’s squad
members were armed with suppressed M4 rifles, in addition to their
standard-issue side arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roeland
opened up two cases of ammunition for the squad to reload their depleted
inventories and each of the men took a few magazines, ‘just because’. The night
however, passed uneventfully with another five inches of snow falling
overnight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Snow had benefits as
well as liabilities: Tracks in the snow easily showed out-of-place foot traffic
(this night, there was none); and any surviving game in the area could be
tracked for harvest. The liabilities were obvious—no party in force could
camouflage their passage on foot without leaving an obvious trail, a fact not
lost on the U.S. Army. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monday, December Fourth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Segher Farm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug had managed
five uninterrupted hours of sleep before Julie rose, the baby causing her
discomfort.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remainder of her
night was restless, but sleep was impossible for Doug at that point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He quietly dressed at four a.m., went into
the kitchen, where he found Case already up, looking over a map of southern
Iowa. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Any idea on where
you’re heading?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not until we’re
in touch with upstairs.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Still nothing on
your radio?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Picked up some
distant stuff from Nebraska…Grand Island. We’ve apparently got troops there
moving east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nothing though within
our communications tree.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m sure you can
stay here as long as you need,” Doug said, feeding the firebox in the woodstove
for tea. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We appreciate
that, but we do have an extraction point established.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re just a couple hundred miles behind schedule,” Case
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Can’t help much
with that, unfortunately. Pretty tough to move at all right now beyond the farm
and the local towns. I think were damned lucky yesterday, getting you out of
Illinois.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Why risk it? You,
your wife, family…”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Had a chance. It
worked. Probably….perhaps certainly, wouldn’t work today or tomorrow, depending
on how the S.A. is pumping the war today,” Doug said. “We’ve done a few things
over the past couple weeks that would’ve gotten us shot in a public square, had
we been caught. Yesterday wasn’t much different.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Such as?” Case
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The most
interesting was probably taking down the surveillance cameras in three towns
simultaneously. That was a challenge,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What cameras?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Every Federal
building, whether it’s post office, agriculture office, unemployment, HHS,
whatever, along with every police station, fire station, hospital, county
seat…they all have a nice surveillance camera hanging over the street right in
front of the building…and cameras on the buildings and parking lots of
course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The street cameras were
the first target, later the others as opportunities came about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Took all the street cameras out at the
same minute, in all three towns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Surprising how effective a little electricity can be at frying
electronics.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How did you do
it?” Case asked with a little smile. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Farm trucks with
portable welders,” Doug explained.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“The poles they’d installed the cameras on all had a wire path that was
in a specific location within the metal pole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tagging that one spot for thirty seconds with a decent sized
arc welder cooked the cameras and probably the computers they were feeding.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Didn’t the S.A.
respond?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Tough for them to
get out of the buildings that were hit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had other teams that either blocked the doors with trucks and then
left them there—the doors most of the time opened outward—or four guys carried
three-quarter inch thick sheets of plywood and portable nail guns and just
boarded up the doors,” Doug said. “It was really just a one time opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, they had armed guards
standing watch outside every building…until a couple weeks ago. Somehow or
other, their guards keep getting shot in the head or chest. Single shots. Long
range, no one heard the report. The S.A. apparently hasn’t been all that successful
at collecting all the firearms out there,” he chuckled. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“So, what about
the other cameras?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“When electricity
became less than reliable, Jake found the weak link in the facilities’ camera
installation, too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lenses are
armored glass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The coax cables
weren’t shielded as well. A few good quality air rifles, and most of them were
out of commission. The air rifles are pretty handy for harassing S.A. loyalists
wherever they are.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Dangerous,” Case
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah, but when
they force the locals into their service, there comes a point you have to stand
up. We reached that point some weeks ago.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“So what are you
doing to, as you say, harass?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“If the S.A.
loyals come ‘shopping’, goods are found that are fitting for them, meaning,
rotting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Service that they might
need is delayed due to ‘lack of parts’ or ‘lack of knowledgeable service
people’; the heat in their hotel rooms is generally inoperative—you do know
that they use the hotels for barracks, right?” Doug asked without waiting for
an answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The air rifles are put
to use shooting holes in the windows of their rooms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There isn’t replacement glass, or tape to cover them. So,
their rooms get cold. There isn’t plywood to cover them, so the rooms become
abandoned. Without dependable electricity, the boilers running the heating
systems fail. Pipes freeze. Hotels become uninhabitable.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Grinding them
down,” Case stated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s one way. It
won’t be the only way,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What about this
food issue? Is what you say on the up and up?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“Yes,” Doug said
unequivocally. “If your troops were to consume the combinations of food fed to
the S.A. troops and their gangs, you’d find that you could order them to do </span>absolutely
anything,<span style="font-style: normal;"> and they’d likely execute those
orders without question, remorse or conscience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think about that for a minute.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Case’s eyes
narrowed as he contemplated what Doug had said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My former
employer had a contract to make MRE’s for the U.S. military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did so with the RNEW formula
slipped into it, and they distributed it heavily in the Northeast and some
other urban areas when things started to come apart. They timed the
distribution to coincide with the economic collapse…which I suspect that they
helped facilitate. When I learned what the stuff was, I helped get word out on
what the RNEW products were and could do, and during a stint in Denver, I
worked for the Food and Drug Administration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I managed to derail numerous attempts to ship those MRE’s to
the Western U.S., without my former employer catching on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sent information to your
superiors in Texas that would’ve resulted in me being shot in the head and
dumped in a slit trench. With some help, I disappeared from the Federal
Government and from my former employer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I suspect that if either knew I was here, and certainly if they knew of
my current activities, I’d be dead. So would everyone on this farm.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Case didn’t say
anything, but considered Doug’s statement. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Where are you
from, Sergeant?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Little town.
Ashton, Idaho. Population twelve-hundred and five.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sorry, never
heard of it,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not many have…and
that’s perfectly okay.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You’d take these
risks too, if this were Ashton, Idaho,” Doug said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How long have you served?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Seven years.
Iraq, Afghanistan, several other places that were never official deployments
and of course we never officially killed anyone,” Case replied as one of his
men entered the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sarge, got
Command in San Antonio. Comms are routed through an AWACS south of here. Entire
satellite network is fried, they say. Better hustle, not sure how long our
uplink will last.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good luck,” Doug
said, filling the old teapot. “Give the United States our regards.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-89076716893256253922014-04-17T17:42:00.002-07:002014-04-17T17:42:30.147-07:00Tom, where ya been?Well, it's not complicated. <br />
<br />
Tied up in a building project (relocated our company) which has consumed a vast amount of time since January, aside from "real work" in my day job; seemingly endless project stuff at the house, a rebuild project at our church (arson fire); and the youngest is graduating from college in a couple of weeks.<br />
<br />
That said, I will have the next-to-last chapter of Distance up by the end of the weekend.<br />
<br />
Happy Easter, everyone. He is Risen Indeed.Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-3715293613986593442014-02-23T11:56:00.000-08:002014-02-23T18:28:57.500-08:00Distance, Chapter 58<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="text-indent: 0in;"><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">58 </span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Sunday, December Third<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10:14 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ferris, Illinois<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Church services
provided convenient opportunities to travel outside of the normal radius of
work activity, especially during the Christmas season. The S.A., at least in rural Iowa and
Illinois, didn’t hinder Sunday travel, especially a surge that happened to be
around the time of regular services in the area. Doug and Julie, Peter, Molly and baby Ian took the
opportunity to visit second cousins in Illinois as their cover, as well as
delivering early Christmas presents and a few ‘replacement parts for farm
machinery.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two days a week,
one could expect to see some amount of traffic on the roads, even with scarce
fuel: Sunday, for church services and perhaps a trip into ‘town’, and
Wednesdays, which the S.A. nationally had designated a ‘Market Day’. They
expected the nation to be able to complete all necessary shopping and business
that involved private automobiles to be completed within a single day--with
penalties likely given should one be caught on the road on any other day. The new decree, given just before
Thanksgiving, didn’t affect most of the farmers, who had thinned out their
reasons for visiting towns, but did radically affect those who shopped for
entertainment, sport, or subsistence. Of course, the lack of fuel dropped most
traffic from the roads more quickly than a decree. Transportation devolved from
gasoline and diesel to bicycles and horseback within weeks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This particular
day, a bio-diesel fueled Suburban from the farm was cleaned and made
presentable for the trip, in order to appear that it was a commuter vehicle and
not a workhorse. The cargo area held wrapped ‘presents’, which if opened, would
be sweaters, quilts, and other homemade crafts; and several rough boxes,
containing what appeared to be useable parts for farm engines and a hydraulic
pump and manifold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S.A. checkpoints
were non-existent on the route that Peter had chosen, which took County roads
to the east toward the Mississippi, then south toward Keokuk, across the river,
and then taking rarely used County roads into the little village of Ferris,
which pre-War, had less than two hundred residents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The trip of course
had the primary purpose of exchanging intelligence with Resistance cells in
Illinois. This particular corner
of the state had little in the way of interest for typical State of America
operations—mostly farming and dispersed agricultural businesses, and no major
freeways, no military bases…but it was a good place for being ‘out of the way.’
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They met Jack
Classen and his mother Olga, Arie’s second cousin and the matriarch of the
Weerstand in the region on the steps of the small church in the village.
Typical Christmas carols played to the sparse congregation in the barely heated
sanctuary as the pastor spoke from Luke of Jesus’ birth. No one was prepared
for the two vreemden --outsiders--
standing just inside the door, looking at the congregants. The pastor’s invitation to sit was
ignored, if not in hostility, in indifference. Doug held Julie’s hand during the sermon, as he contemplated
a ‘play’, should the S.A. ‘ambassadors’ do something. His handgun rested in a holster under his left arm; he knew
that Peter Forsythe had at least one handgun, including a small Kahr forty-five
caliber concealed carry, on his ankle.
Julie had a three-eighty semi automatic; Molly carried a twin to
Julie’s. Ian slept soundly in his
car seat, bundled up against the cold. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The handful of
ceiling lights failed just as the pastor began the benediction. A church elder efficiently lit
several ancient Coleman lanterns, hanging on hooks on the sides of the
sanctuary. Doug thought this must be a regular occurrence, and the church just
dealt with it. Within a few more minutes, they filed out of the building, into
a light snow. Peter waited until they were far away from the S.A. troops before
he spoke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is the power as
spotty here as it is on our side of the river?” Peter asked, holding little Ian
in his blanket sleeper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Every few days.
Cannot predict it,” Olga said. “It doesn’t really affect us much. Let us get to
the farm and we will talk further, Ja?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Certainly,” Peter
replied as Molly put Ian back in the car seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug noted how
much Olga sounded like Arie—like a sister, not a cousin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Six miles outside
of town, Jack Classen turned off of the County road into a long farm road, his
well-worn Suzuki Samurai easily handling the rutted, icy roads. The farmhouse was nothing like the
Segher’s—this home was rancher-style, dating from the fifties or sixties,
complete with a swimming pool in the front yard, now covered with ice and
snow. An oversized metal clad pole
barn stood to the southwest, with an old camp trailer parked nearby. Someone was inside the home, and opened
the front door as they hurried inside. Doug helped Julie along the icy pathway.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks, Paul,” Jack
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s hitting the
fan,” the younger man said quietly to his older brother. Doug thought that the younger Classen
looked about twenty, with Jack a few years older. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What is this?”
their mother replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The S.A., Mom,” he
answered. “They’ve fired ballistic missiles at the U.S.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nuclear?” Doug
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is there any
other kind?” he replied. “I’m
Paul, by the way.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doug Peterson,
and my wife Julie,” he said, shaking hands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good to see you
again, Paul,” Julie’s brother said, shaking his hand as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How do you know
this?” Olga pressed. “How to be certain?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Shortwave
network. Spotter saw some sort of portable launcher setup, right in downtown
Detroit. Two missiles went up from
there. Big, not surface to air,”
the young man said. “Another guy confirmed the vapor trail with three other
locations, headed southwest. Not long after that, the radios died.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Died? The radios
are on batteries,” Olga. “You mean they quit broadcasting?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, I mean there
was nothing to receive—anywhere, on any frequency. Even the nonsense
chatter—that scrambled stuff—is gone.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where did they
go? The missiles, that is,” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The power’s out
for a reason, I think,” Jack replied. “I think they were electromagnetic
weapons, and they nuked the grid.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is there any way
to know?” Peter asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The gibberish
signals and tones that we heard were from satellite broadcasts. If they used an EMP, the satellites
would probably be dead,” Paul answered. “Our guests think so, too,” he said
cryptically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Paul, did you try
another radio? One that had been in the cage when the first one died?” Jack
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. It powers
up fine, so does that other little scanner. Tests OK with local
broadcasts—picks up my own CB radio—, which was probably dangerous to do. But
there’s nothing out there for it to pick up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No one spoke for a
few seconds as they considered what might have happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Would the S.A.
really use a nuclear weapon on the U.S.?” Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I shouldn’t say
this,” Doug answered, “But not much would surprise me when it comes to what
they might do, especially if they are desperate. Or acting deliberately.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are they
desperate?” Olga asked. “We have news for you, before you answer that. Come
with me to the basement and meet our guests. Paul, how is the fire?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s fine. Lunch is heating and should be ready
soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Peter, Ian needs
to be changed and to eat. Would you help out with lunch?” Molly asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll be right
back,” Olga replied to Molly.
“Peter needs to meet our friends.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jack took a small
battery powered lantern and lit it for the trip to the basement, which already
had some light emanating from the bottom of the stairs. Doug thought he heard
someone downstairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We have guests,
my friends. Do not be alarmed,” Olga said to the basement. Doug heard a number of people move
below him. Julie followed, holding his hand. He thought, ‘What the heck is going on?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He wasn’t long to
wait for an answer. As he followed
Olga downstairs, he saw eight men stand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ma’am,” a rather
stocky man said, “May I ask who these folks is?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They are your
contacts on my cousin’s farm in Iowa,” Olga replied. “Douglas here, worked for the S.A. in Denver. I think you
will want to hear what he has to say.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Now, wait a sec,”
Doug said. “I didn’t know they were the S.A. They were the Federal Government
at that point. I worked for the Food and Drug Administration.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, that is
true. But you have been ‘inside,’ so to speak, Ja?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fair enough,”
Doug answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please be seated,
everyone,” Olga directed, and the men sat rather uncomfortably in the large
family room. “Sergeant, you might
want to talk with Douglas about his work outside of the Federals, as well.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thank you, Mrs.
Classen. I’d appreciate any information that can be provided.” Doug could tell that the man probably
didn’t trust the newcomers, and he couldn’t blame him one bit. They were hundreds of miles behind
enemy lines, and while not dressed in military digital camouflage, their attire
was certainly not entirely civilian. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Very good. Now, I
will go see to luncheon. Jack, perhaps you should keep a lookout from the barn?
Julie, you sit now. Do not tire yourself,” Olga ordered. “Mister Case? Perhaps
after lunch, one of your men should join Jack out in the barn?” One of the men moved a chair closer for
Julie, Case nodded at him and the man headed upstairs, to join Jack on lookout
without taking lunch. Julie took
off her coat and covered her lap, watching the young men around her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Introductions are
in order, I believe. I’m Sergeant Gunner Case, U.S. Army. We’re from the Second
Battalion, Seventy Fifth Rangers, formerly of Fort Lewis, Washington.” Doug
shook his hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doug Peterson. My
wife Julie,” he said, before introducing Peter as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I understand
you’re a member of the Weerstand as well?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Adopted, not born
into it,” Doug said, sitting at a well-worn mahogany poker table, where Peter
had already taken a seat. “I hope this means that the U.S. is on the move?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tides will turn,
sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What can we help
you with?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Anything you can
tell us about the S.A. in the region would be appreciated.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you guys…on
foot?” Peter asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mobility doesn’t
always mean wheels, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For fifteen
minutes, the men spoke about the S.A. presence in the smaller towns, tactics,
patrol schedules, and the means and methods of S.A. control over the farm
country. While Doug and Peter talked to Sergeant Case, the six other men
listened intently, several leaning forward and using their M-16’s as one might
lean on a cane. Doug noted that Julie had fallen asleep, head resting gently on
the side pillow of her chair. As
they were getting into the heart of things, Olga called them upstairs for
lunch. Doug roused Julie, who was
a bit embarrassed to have fallen asleep so quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Olga had Paul say
a blessing before lunch, in Dutch and English, for the crowd. After the ladies
had been served, Peter and Doug were shooed into the line, followed by the
Sergeant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lunch was a thick
vegetable beef stew, served from an enormous stockpot. A huge basket of rounded sourdough
loaves, butter, tea and milk was resting on the sideboard in the dining
room. Olga gave the men permission
to eat wherever they liked, which drew raised eyebrows from Paul. He took his lunch and went back to the
bank of radio equipment, put his headphones on, and again scanned the
frequencies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did you get any
information from your superiors about S.A. weapons stockpiles?” Peter asked of
Sergeant Case, once they were gathered again in the basement. Case’s
involuntary body language told them ‘no.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We had a…well, a
sort of primitive way to detect S.A. weapons and supplies,” Doug said,
explaining briefly the Palm PDA’s capabilities to ‘ping’ RFID chips, and the
numerous locations of apparently huge weapons caches. “The report was sent to
San Antonio. The response was less than complimentary.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Case just nodded,
looking down at the table for a minute.
“Do you still have this information?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not with us, but
we have it back at the farm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What about this
PDA? Can your guy make more of these? Might be handy for squads like mine to
see what’s out there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sure that
could be arranged,” Doug said.
“Are you headed our way?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’re tasked with
recon. There are supposed to be
some other units in your vicinity, but obviously no one’s been on touch with
you. We were scheduled to contact
Command this evening. Schmitz over there confirmed Paul’s thoughts on radio
comms—we’re not able to raise anyone, but our own short-range gear is fine. The
world got a lot bigger as a result—no comms, no support, no resupply, no
extraction.” One of Case’s men
headed upstairs as they continued to talk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where were you…”
Peter began.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can’t say,
because I don’t know,” Case replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug explained how
to get to the Farm, knowing that traveling by stealth would require night
travel, crossing the Mississippi by boat or by guarded bridge, or by vehicle.
All but the last option would take days. Another option came to mind, but he’d need more time
to think about it before bringing it up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He next delved
into his time with Regent Performance, including every detail of the RNEW
products and the effects of combining the various altered food and beverage
products; the observed behavior of those who used the food and Doug’s educated
opinion on how the altered human behavior might be used by the S.A. in the
prosecution of the War. Sergeant
Case’s brow furrowed at Doug’s narrative, probably holding back some emotion
about Doug’s personal involvement. It was not the first time that Doug had seen
that look in the eyes of someone who heard what RNEW could do, by someone who
helped it along. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter then
discussed how the Segher Farm was operating, along with adjacent farms, towns
and villages; and how each dealt with increasingly intrusive S.A. lackeys in
the region. The Weerstand had been
successful in persuading all but the most persistent of the patrols. That particular incident had taken far
to the west of the Seghers, and the three ‘ambassadors’ met their end at a pig
farm. Reports immediately surfaced
about the men and their official vehicle heading toward Kansas City, where the
vehicle was later found abandoned and out of fuel. The replacement S.A. patrol was wise enough to not repeat
the intrusiveness of their predecessors. They were a half-hour into the
discussion when Paul interrupted them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Guys, we’ve got
something going on,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Schmiddty? That
true?” Case asked of his communications man who’d rejoined them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, Sergeant.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Spill,” Case replied.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Major S.A. troop
movements heading west. Rail,
road, air. Civilian traffic on the
roads is being commandeered and people tossed out of their cars. Wholesale house-to-house searches of
anyone who’d ever filled out ATF Form Four Four Seven Three. Rumors of arrests
and disappearances. Unconfirmed information about U.S. units being hunted down
by S.A. regulars. Anyone fighting
back’s killed, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Source?” Case
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Multiple sources,
some obviously ex-military. Police, civilians, multiple locations. Freqs
included Ham, CB, and a pirated AM station,” Schmitz answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And you know, I
think,” Paul added, “that it’s a death sentence to get caught using
transmitters of any kind.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Reliability of
intel?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fifty-fifty,
Sarge,” Schmitz said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They could be
sending false intel to flush, but I don’t think that’s likely,” Doug said.
“That’s not really the way they work.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And you know
this, how, exactly, Mister Peterson?” Case asked skeptically. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“In my experience
they are much more about subtle intimidation, then followed by overt
intimidation and then by overwhelming force; not scaring people into action and
then hunting them down. It’s just not their style,” Doug answered. “Guns in private hands in the S.A. are
illegal already. The ATF forty-four seventy-three forms that every one filled
out to buy a firearm through a dealer is a menu for them to round up any
weapons and anyone who didn’t turn them in. They probably have a large enough
army, in uniform or not, to go house to house and find anyone they damned well
please. If they used the ATF forms
for guns, how long will it be before they use the FCC database for amateur
radio owners too? It’s just a matter of time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter added to
Doug’s thoughts. “Either way. Game changed today. If we were near a major
interstate or rail line, we could probably see troop movements. And, that’d
probably get us killed along the way.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sergeant, if you
have a couple minutes, there are a few other things I picked up,” Schmitz
stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Excuse me,
gentlemen,” he said, and rose to join his men, talking quietly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did you give Olga
the one-time pads?” Doug asked Peter.
The Weerstand used the ‘old-school’ encryption technique when possible,
including until recently, coded radio broadcasts using the plain-text
lettering. They would now, if
possible rely on physical transfers of the encrypted paper messages. The pads
and their encryption keys were the products of Jake Segher’s spare time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Twenty sets and
keys. I need to take that hydraulic manifold apart and give Paul the reloading
dies and put the press together, and get the primers from the air cleaner,” he
replied. The Seghers had
disassembled an ammunition reloading press to the smallest denominator, and
packed the components inside the ‘spare parts’ that upon inspection, would bolt
right up to a John Deere combine. Under the hood of the Suburban, one of the
large ‘batteries’ for the diesel actually held bulk lead for casting bullets
and several molds. The two ‘spare tires’ strapped to the roof of the Chevy held
enough cleaned brass to create five thousand rounds of thirty-ought six
ammunition. A few other hidden packages included the remaining components of a
reloading setup, the possession of which was a crime in the S.A. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m wondering if
there’s a better way to get these guys over to the Farm and back west. Or maybe
find a way to get them back in touch with the U.S. Army,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not sure I’m
going to like what you’re coming up with, Doug,” Peter said. “What exactly are
you proposing?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If the S.A. is on
the move, and I have to believe that this would come sooner or later, trips
like this one will be impossible,” Doug said. “What if, for instance, we were
to take that old travel trailer out there, load up these men, and
sweet-as-you-please, drive them back to the Farm?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did it look road
worthy to you?” Peter asked. “Because it sure didn’t to me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not particularly,
but it might be worth a look.
We’ve got to unload the Chevy anyway. We could check with Olga, see what she thinks at least.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You realize that
if we get caught we’re all dead, right?” Peter said very quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And it would be
different than this mornings’ trip in which way, exactly?” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peter looked Doug
in the eye and said, “If Olga gives us the OK, how do you plan to break this to
our wives?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’ll be the
first to know when I come up with that,” Doug answered. “Either way, if there
is some sort of major offensive going on, we don’t have much time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Then we better
move quickly,” Peter replied. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-45808399175285400552014-01-12T13:34:00.000-08:002014-01-28T20:31:58.070-08:00Distance Chapter 57<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br />57<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Friday, November 17<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">6:10 a.m. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Peterson Cabin on the Segher Farm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Waking to the
wind-up alarm was nothing new to Doug, although more than two months ‘home’ now
with Julie, he still woke with a smile on his face, knowing she was with him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They’d settled in
to a very small home on Segher property, this one farther off the beaten path
than any of the other homes. The
little house had been a summer cabin or guest-house on occasion, barely
modernized over its long history. Doug and Julie’s combined furnishings
couldn’t fill the five small rooms.
Tucked into the oak and hickory west of the main farm, the cabin cooked
with wood, heated with wood, and other than a sixty-amp electrical service to
run lights, a small water heater and the refrigerator, was off-grid. Since
move-in day, Doug and Julie had used the lighting sparingly, but had used the
electricity to listen in on the world outside of the dozen or so counties
surrounding them. He wasn’t too
surprised to see the battery-powered LED ‘power failure light’ in the kitchen
glowing softly. Electric power had
been spotty for more than a month now.
He flipped on the battery-powered scanner and heard some garbled
transmissions, but mostly static.
An old AM/FM car radio, also running on twelve-volt power, was scanning
the AM band, but nothing was transmitting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>‘That’s odd,’</i> Doug
thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie remained
asleep, snuggled deep in fleece sheets beneath the down comforter as Doug rose
and built a new fire in the cookstove. He briefly looked outside, shining a big
flashlight across the clearing beyond the porch. Still an hour before sunrise,
there was no hint of light, but what surprised him the most was the ice built
up on the window frame and porch rail. There had been no meaningful news in
days, only stories fabricated from whole cloth for the pleasure of those in the
media for the consumption of the people, obviously as directed by the State.
Weather reports were out of the question.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life in the State
of America bore little resemblance to life in the United States of America,
despite the geography. Since his return to Iowa and being reunited with Julie,
Doug had thus far put his Regent life behind him, and had built a great deal of
trust within the Weerstand. While he’d only had a half-dozen missions in the
field, mostly drops of supplies and one-time code books, his thoughts on
actions against the State were considered as seriously as any other. Unlike some in the Weerstand, Doug did
not hold a job off-farm—entirely due to the probability that Regent would find
him. His knowledge of both Regent and now S.A. beliefs also made him a bit too
valuable to risk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Weerstand in
southeast Iowa and in other adjacent regions had been fairly successful at
quietly infiltrating the lower levels of local and government, never rising to
positions of leadership that were obviously a counter to the direction coming
from the new masters. A number of
accidents had occurred in many parts of the state over the past two months,
including several single-vehicle accidents, hunting tragedies, and unfortunate
industrial incidents. The Weerstand proved to be exceptionally skilled at
covert opertions. In only one case was direct action needed—in that case, the
options were limited to a subsonic .22 delivered from a suppressed Walther
PPKS, or a five-inch long ice pick. The operative in that case chose two rounds
from the .22 moments after the target opened the door to his pickup, after
meeting with a State of America representative. The point was well taken, as S.A. leaders from that point
forward were always surrounded by men in black uniforms, openly carrying
H&K MP-5 submachine guns. The
increasingly visible protection just made the targets easier to find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Beginning on the
first of November, the Weerstand had begun to scout out several S.A.
sympathizers in Des Moines, those openly kissing up to the new S.A. governor.
When an appropriate point in time arrived and Weerstand operatives were ready,
the resistance would quietly and efficiently deal with the S.A. There were no
Weerstand people in the replacement queue—these targets were clearly causing
the deaths of other Iowans, and it had to cease. Those operations would
continue, until the threats were eliminated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s debrief
after his return from Denver had taken two full days, much of it spent with Jake
Segher mapping out Doug’s route, his observations, and the mountain of signals
intelligence stored in the obsolete Palm PDA. Jake had found a further layer of
information in the chips found in the captured S.A. equipment, this layer
identifying the weapon by type. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake double- and
triple-checked Doug’s data and then re-checked the programming on the ‘ping’
program, before nearly throwing it out completely. The numbers couldn’t be
correct, he’d thought. Blind tests
though, using other captured equipment proved to him that the data collected by
Doug probably was accurate.
Between Doug’s departure on September Tenth and his return four days
later, the scanner on the PDA had pinged four hundred thousand firearms, over a
million MRE packs, and enough supporting gear and munitions to support around a
half-million men in the field for three months. The numbers were staggering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug and Roeland
finally convinced Jake to memorialize the data in a formal report and to send
it up the Weerstand chain of command. The report was sent out on September
Twentieth, but there was little the Weerstand could do about the various caches
of stockpiled materiel…until hostilities broke out in late October. By then though, many of the stockpiles
had vanished, as the Weerstand wasn’t able to watch the suspected locations
constantly. Without a dangerous
trip through the area with another scanning device, the equipment was
untraceable. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake had found a
way to get through to U.S. forces with the information at the end of October,
but the reply he received was at best condescending: “Information
provided cannot be reliably confirmed; further, the amount of munitions and
distribution of equipment to be frank, is ludicrous.” More than a little
offended, Jake replied, “Recognize that while we have skin in the game,
most of these weapons will be primarily pointed at <i><b>you.”</b></i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No further
communications had been received regarding the collected information, but the
Weerstand took the knowledge as fact, and began full-time surveillance operations
on several suspected storage sites.
Scanning would be possible only within the parameters of frequently
changing curfews--ruthlessly enforced and immensely dangerous. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">S.A. ‘Security
Partners’ ran the streets in the major cities within S.A. territory—the
‘Partners’ were often former gang members, with upper leadership comprised of
the Statist faithful. They really
had few rules to work around—if they believed you were a threat, a danger, or
held something that they wanted, what was yours was theirs. If a ‘story’ didn’t
ring true or could actually be verified, there was an even chance that an
innocent person would be shipped out to points unknown. No one shipped out had
ever been seen again---rumors were running rampant. In smaller cities and towns, a handful of the Partners
usually intimidated enough local law enforcement into doing the dirty work.
Such was the case in the towns near the Farm. The Weerstand had identified the local enforcers in the region,
and would take action when the time came. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Private ownership
of firearms, ammunition and reloading supplies overnight became a capital
offense in the S.A., but enforcement was as dangerous to the S.A. as it was to
the general public. That particular Executive Order was widely ignored outside
of Denver, but gave any S.A. commander probable cause for anyone holding a
concealed carry permit or anyone ever having purchased a firearm through the
National Instant Criminal Background Check system. Despite the <i>‘law’</i>
prohibiting <i>‘registration’</i> of firearms on a national basis, the backdoor
database was there for the taking.
Data-mining from other <i>‘anti-terrorist’</i> databases, cross referenced on
demand, easily tracked other purchases, including ammunition and reloading
components, <i>‘tactical’</i> equipment, water filtration equipment, or <i>‘long-term
storage food.’</i> Most purchases were
made on credit cards, easily tracing the transactions electronically, and
completely open to the government to observe. Tying those specific transactions into security camera feeds
in stores provided instant verification of who-bought-what. The banks couldn’t do anything about
the data mining even if they wanted to—they’d accepted Federal bailouts, with
all strings attached. No bank V.P.
wanted to be the victim of an unfortunate <i>‘hot tub accident’ </i>any more than he wanted to be investigated for <i>‘insider
trading’</i> or arrested for various forms of ‘<i>illegal
material’</i> that was <i>‘found’</i> on his home computer, or die in a<i> ‘single
vehicle accident.’</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug made Julie a
simple breakfast to be taken in bed, just tea, toasted apple bread with butter,
and bacon. ‘Second
breakfast’ was usually between nine and ten in the morning and usually included
eggs, fruit and juice, and a late lunch, usually around one-thirty or so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning,
mom-to-be,” he said softly as he nudged the door open with his knee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What time is it?
It seems early,” Julie said as she pulled herself upright, a little awkwardly.
“It’s cold.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not quite
seven. And it is cold. It’s only fifteen outside,” he said, kissing
her good-morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And fifty
inside.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A little better.
Almost sixty-five. I need to bring
in more wood right away, and re-fill the bin downstairs today.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“After you move
that string of ham like you promised,” Julie said. Part of the cellar of the cabin was their long-term pantry,
with many shelves filled with canning jars and cans. Down the middle though, Doug had strung up a dozen smoked
hams, cured in Roeland’s smokehouse. Half of the hams were nearly a year old
now, the younger ones around six months in cure. The curing string was getting
difficult for Julie to navigate around.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did you eat?”
Julie asked, taking a bite of the delicious bread. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yep. Ate at the
stove—cooks’ prerogative. Did you get enough sleep?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“After three I
did. Someone was kicking,” Julie
said, patting her unborn child. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I told you that
you should lay off the spicy food,” Doug said with raised eyebrows and lowered
chin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I like
peperoncini. Crave, even.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Then don’t blame
me when Junior is doing gymnastics four hours later,” Doug replied. “I’ll go get some more wood. The hot water should be ready for a
shower in about ten minutes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks. I never
remember to switch that thing on.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They say memory’s
the first thing to go,” Doug said, making a hasty retreat as his pillow hit the
door jamb. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He suited up on
the screen porch, now enclosed with heavy storm windows, barely keeping out the
snow and ice. He donned
insulated overalls, heavy boots and a fur lined hat, grabbing his leather
mittens on the way out the door, the heavy canvas wood-carrier tucked under his
arm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The wood shed had
been built under the trees behind the back porch, crafted from heavy oiled
timbers and then shingled with wood and later, metal roofing. Doug and Peter had spent a couple days
loading up this particular woodshed, stacking twelve cords of dried firewood,
gathered more than a year before, split and dried under the cover of a
ramshackle equipment shed. Each of
the family homes had at least ten cords of wood on hand, with more downed trees
around the property for future use. Thankfully, this year the vast majority of
the wood had been cut and split with a Segher-built cutting and splitting
machine that found a soft-spot in Doug’s life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The machine, built
on an old flat-bed trailer, had a log grapple mounted to a hydraulic crane that
picked up sixteen foot sections of limbed trees and placed them in a
cradle. The cradle had an
operator-controlled conveyor, cutting the logs to length as needed with a
minimal amount of work from the operator.
Another operation raised a splitting plate at the end of the conveyor on
one end of the sectioned log, where a hydraulic ram split the logs into four or
eight pieces, depending on the split head installed. Two engines operated during processing, churning out a
sizeable pile of wood with relatively little effort, compared to hand-cutting,
splitting, and stacking.
The machine, created by Arie and his late brother, had been modernized a
bit over time, and was usually shared with non-family neighbors, after the
Segher woods had been addressed.
Doug was able to run the machine for a couple of days, and would have
done more, but the early snows ended the season early. When the splitting season was done,
Doug took an extra day to completely clean and lube the machine, replace an
leaking hydraulic line, and rebuild one of the hydraulic controls. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ice was thick
on top of the six inches of snow, almost holding Doug’s weight, but with each
step he crunched through the shell.
He’d need to load at least a half-cord into the basement today, as the
bin was nearly empty. Fortunately there was a chute built into the cellar for
the purpose. He loaded the
canvas carrier quickly, thinking about the larger task later in the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had taken
three steps toward the house when he felt the noise before hearing it, and
stopped in his tracks. He’d just barely turned when some sort of
aircraft—moving hundreds of miles an hour—roared overhead just above the
trees. A second, and then a third
followed immediately. He could
just make out the blur—no definite shape, no lights, just incredible speed and
unbelievable noise. He ran toward the house. Julie met him in the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What was that?!”
she asked anxiously. “I thought it
was an earthquake!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Military. Fighters,
I think, but I just saw a blur. Three of them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They knocked
stuff off the walls!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sure they
did,” Doug said. “I need to check
with Arie,” he said, noticing that the lights were off. “Did you shut off the lights?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. I just hopped
out of bed! What’s happening?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have no idea.
But I’m hoping to find out,” Doug said, picking up a hand-held CB radio. “Where
are the batteries?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Second drawer,”
Julie answered, pulling a wool wrap around her. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug fumbled with
the battery pack for the radio, finally getting it loaded correctly, turned it
on, tuned to the appropriate frequency, and was greeted by Arie’s calm voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fifty-seven
here,” Doug answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kom binnenkort,”
Arie replied in Dutch. <i>‘Come soon.’ </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You OK by
yourself?” Doug asked Julie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I should be. Should I block off the windows?” she
asked. They had room-darkening inside shutters, in addition to the heavy
curtains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Might not be a
bad idea. I have no idea what’s going on. There’s nothing on the AM band, and
not much on the scanner. Maybe Arie knows something.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t waste time.
Just bring that wood carrier inside. I’ll go get dressed.” Doug didn’t realize he had dropped the
wood on the back porch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few minutes
later, Doug pulled his old Dodge truck out of a smallish garage, dropping it
into four-wheel-drive just to make it up the small incline in the driveway.
Roeland had replaced a broken solenoid in the drivetrain after the truck had
broken down way back in January, and surprised both Doug and Julie when they moved
into the cabin with the newly functioning pickup. They both thought the truck
had been sent to the boneyard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The drive over to
Arie and Maria’s was downright treacherous. The ice on the packed snow was more suited to a bobsled run
than a farm road. Doug kept the
truck lights turned off as he drove over.
As he left the truck near Arie’s equipment shed, he felt the rumble of
the low-flying jets once more. This time, he had a better view, not blocked by
overhead trees. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Four jets,
two-by-two, passed over the trees to the west, and banked northeast toward Des
Moines. Normally, some lights on the wings would be flashing…these had none.
The aircraft weren’t of a familiar type to Doug, either. They were too far away
to see any markings, but the shape was wrong. They resembled an F-16,
but the wings seemed too large. All four appeared to be carrying missiles and
wing tanks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’ve had a good
look, ja?” Arie said, handing Doug a mug of tea. “What do you think?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not ours,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“French. Come
inside now,” Arie said. “How’s our Julie?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Little one kept
her up a fair amount last night.
She’s fine though.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t let her
over-do. No more risks for her,” Arie said, referring to some serious pain that
Julie had experienced a week before, working on her feet for many hours a day.
They stepped through the door of the equipment shed into the battery-lit
room. Two-dozen men stood inside,
looking at a large map on the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning,
Doug,” Roeland said, coming in just behind him. He was in his deputy sheriff’s uniform, which was far too
clean, all things considered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Morning. What’s
going on?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That is the
question of the day,” Jake answered.
“Now that we’re all here, let’s get started.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug hopped up on
one of the workbenches on the side wall, looking over the map of the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This morning we
were introduced to part of the S.A.’s air force. Those were French-built Dussault Rafale fighters. Imported
two weeks ago according to our intel, brought into Canada on freighters with
container ships of spares and armament.
From what we understand, there are two dozen of those in Des Moines at
present, with around sixty overall in North America.” No one spoke. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What else can we
expect?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good question,
and we have part of an answer. While the Navy has been otherwise occupied in
parts of the world, numerous freighters have been making more-or-less normal
schedules on the East Coast. Some of the evac ships from Europe were stopped
and searched, and numerous passengers kept aboard while others were allowed to
enter the U.S. Many of the freighters were container ships, with containers
sent to various major cities under Federal protection. Sources in Ohio and Pennsylvania have
confirmed that those containers held military equipment. Five roll-on, roll-off ships docked in
Philadelphia and New York while the New Republic celebrated. At least ten other ships carrying what
we believe to be main battle tanks arrived in New Republic ports and then
shipped that equipment to several staging areas.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“French, too?”
someone asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“French LeClercs,
equipped for urban warfare. German Leopard 2A variants, Russian T-72’s and T-90
variants,” Jake said. “The vast majority of those came into Free Canada. From
what we have gathered, there may be a thousand tanks under S.A. command.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Someone let out a
low, descending whistle.“Does the United States know about this?” another voice
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They’ve been
given information. We have no idea if they believe it or not,” Jake
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One minute, Jake,
if you would,” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure, Doug.
What’s on your mind?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who runs them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who runs…” Jake
began. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tank crews. Who
drives? Who’s the tank commander? It’s not like you’re going to take some kid
off the street and drop them into these and expect them to know what they’re
doing, right?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We believe that
the S.A. has trained a number of crews virtually. With tank simulators,” Jake
said. Someone else laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gary, what’s on
your mind?” Jake asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tanks aren’t
video games,” the man answered. “I
drove an Abrams back in the day, against T-72’s and T-80’s. There isn’t any substitute for actual
seat time inside any of them. Furthermore, against an A-10 or any of the newer drones, you don’t have a chance unless
you have air superiority, which I doubt the S.A. can create.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Point taken,”
Jake said. “But none of that will stop them from creating a whole lot of
chaos.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One more thing,”
Doug said. “I’d wager that ammunition isn’t common between those tanks, other
than maybe the Russian ones, right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Correct, from
what we know,” Jake replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Wouldn’t it be
fun, to be able to get into the S.A. supply channels, and send the French
ammunition to a Russian tank division?” Many of the men chuckled at Doug’s
suggestion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s gotta be
a way to get into their organizational system and screw with them,” Doug said.
“Ten minutes of database access and you’re there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We will take that under advisement,” Jake said
with a smile. “I know just the guy.” </span><!--EndFragment--></div>
Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-37498665654237305102013-12-09T18:29:00.000-08:002013-12-18T20:29:38.218-08:00Distance, Chapter 56<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">56<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Thirteenth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">3:43 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">North Platte, Nebraska<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was rudely
awakened by a security agent pounding on the cab of the semi. The rain and wind
continued through the night, making rest for Doug, crashed out in the passenger
seat difficult, although Hempstead slept soundly in the sleeper compartment.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thirty-minute warning!” The security agent
yelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bright and
early,” Ezra said, pulling back the black curtain. “Best get ready for the
road. Breakfast will be
first-come, first served. We need to get movin’.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This normal?”
Doug asked, pulling on his boots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No such thin’ as
normal anymore.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The temperatures
outside the truck were bitterly cold, more typical of early December in the
Great Plains than mid-September. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This’ll be a real
long, shitty day,” Ezra said, pulling his cap low over his eyes. “Bastards want
us to drive on ice. Stupidity of the fifth power.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The fifth power?
I don’t understand.” Doug replied as they walked to the truck stop. Hempstead
stopped for a moment, and looked at him with a little smile before answering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Baron de
Montesquieu. French philosopher, died in seventeen seventy-five. Defined the
first three powers: legislative,
executive and judic’ry. Ramonet expanded them: the fourth is the mass media. The fifth could be defined as the
economy. Allegiance to the god of the fifth power—the economy—puts us at risk.
Stupidity.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ezra continued
towards the diner, leaving Doug stopped in his tracks. “Who are you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve only been a
driver for six years,” Hempstead replied with a smile, looking at Doug over his
shoulder as he continued to walk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What did you do
prior to that time, if I may ask?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Chief operating
officer of Price Pacific Technology. Before that, chief technology officer.
Built it from a startup thirty-four years ago,” Ezra said as they reached the
door. They got in line for breakfast.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How…why are you…”
Doug asked before Ezra cut him off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ever read ‘Atlas
Shrugged?’” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, yeah. In
high school, maybe the first year out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Our company was
being killed by the Federal Government.
We didn’t cooperate with certain agencies that wanted access to our
products, pre-release. They wanted us to build in back doors for their security
snoops to spy on people. We turned ‘em down. They attacked us on the IRS
side. Then they denied us other
things…like medical insurance. Then our ‘environmental audits’ came up
dirty. Then liens on our
intellectual property. Seizure of
working capital—in lieu of money claimed owin’ on unemployment accounts. All of that, they said could be wiped
clean, if we cooperated. We’d seen
it comin’, a long time ahead. In the space of eight hours, we erased all of the
data that the Feds wanted to get their filthy mitts on, nuked the backups,
hammered the hardware…let the entire staff go with a years’ severance. Then
went all Galt on them. Off of their tax rolls, out of their networks. Only five
of us knew enough to be useful to the Feds. Two have now passed on, the rest of us are out there in the
ether.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So you went into
trucking?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My dad ran a
truckin’ business when I was a kid. Honest labor, lets me see the country,”
Ezra said, picking up the breakfast tray.
“Besides that, I get to meet some interestin’ people.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Breakfast was
served cafeteria style again, and consisted of reconstituted eggs, warmed over
pre-cooked bacon, and some sort of canned bread and powdered butter. It was awful on all accounts, and Doug
was unconcerned that any of it contained RNEW—it wasn’t up to Regent standards.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ‘thirty-minute
warning’ stretched into five and a half hours before the first truck took the
road. The ice on the roads was still present, but temperatures seemed to be
warming. The five or six hour trip from North Platte to Des Moines took
thirteen hours, with a fueling stop in Omaha thrown in, and a complete search
of the convoy for good measure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Fourteenth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">5:04 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Des Moines, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Des Moines
truck stop—this one on the far west side of the city—was in only slightly better
shape than the North Platte location. The convoy arrived a little before
midnight, and Doug thanked Ezra for the lift. Doug found it only moderately difficult to fall
asleep—his future with Julie was now only hours away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The truck stop had
a separate wing with micro rooms to rent-generally a queen sized bed, a
flat-panel television, a half-bath, small refrigerator and microwave. Doug
rented one for a twelve-hour period, paying fifty dollars in gold coin, and a
five-dollar tip. For five peaceful
hours, Doug slept, being roused by a soft alarm he’d set on the alarm clock
beside the bed. He rose and
quickly showered and dressed, thinking about the day ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He needed to find
a way to get to the Farm without means of identification, assuming that Regent
would be watching all conventional means of transport, all of which required
I.D. and in many cases, governmental clearance. Being ‘afoot’ was an almost
certain guarantee to be picked off or picked up, according to the now-departed
Ezra Hempstead; bicycle travel—assuming he could even find one--just as
risky. He’d need to find someone
heading in the general direction of southeast Iowa and would have to go from
there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dressing in more
worn than serviceable clothes and a very old cap, Doug checked out of his room
by six a.m. The ridiculously
expensive ‘Continental Breakfast’ consisted of an English muffin with some
tired peanut butter, reconstituted apple juice, and strong, black tea. He scouted out the restaurant for
potential rides to the southeast. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The handful of
people in the restaurant weren’t truck drivers, deliverymen or anyone that Doug
thought might be a prospect for a ride.
To the left, a husband, wife and three children, none of whom looked
like they’d had clean clothes in a month; to the right, two solitary women
dressed in heavy clothing, each holding their hot tea in both hands, trying to
capture the warmth. He’d expected
more people at this time of day—truckers, factory workers, farmers, starting
the day off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You need anything
else, pardner?” the cook/waiter asked Doug. The man, in his early forties, was dressed in typical
short-order cook fashion, working the entire restaurant solo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Just lookin’ for
a ride at this point,” Doug replied quietly. “Know of anyone heading out?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cook regarded
Doug for a moment before answering. “Legit? Nope,” the man said quietly,
filling Doug’s mug with more tea. “Bastard trips, yeah, for a price. Where you
headin’?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Down south of
Fairfield.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s what, damn
near a hundred miles from here?” the cook asked with raised eyebrows. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Probably, yeah.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How’d ya get so
far from home?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Coming from
Denver,” Doug answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Denver? Jesus
Christ. You’re comin’ from the pit of evil? You
a Fed?” the cook hissed. The other
people in the restaurant heard clearly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Used to be. Long
story.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Advice for you,
pal. Lose anything that says ‘Fed’.
Them’s the enemy. This place looks
like it does because they’ve ‘jacked all the food trucks comin’ our way. Anyone
finds out you’re a Fed, you might as well run for your life, cause they’ll just
as soon kill ya as look at ya.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What about you?”
Doug asked quietly. “Why the advice?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My son’s out
there someplace, workin’ for the Department of Recovery. Told him two months ago to get the Hell out, but of
course you can’t tell your kid what to do—they gotta figure it out for
themselves. He’s thinkin’ he’s gonna be a big-shot.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, Denver’s a
good place to be from. There’s a
lot of bad stuff goin’ on there…most probably hasn’t made the news. I think a
plane was shot down out there a couple days ago.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No shit?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No shit. Saw the
fireball and the smoke. I was supposed to fly out of there. Hitched a ride on a convoy,” Doug said.
“So, any ideas on me catching a ride?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cook paused
again for most of a minute before answering. “Yeah, I know someone. You got
money, right? I mean, real money.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve got some,”
Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gimme a little
while,” the cook said, before heading back to the kitchen area and out of
sight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug fished out
his Palm device, and again beat the program on the first level, lost the second
and was two moves from beating the third level, when the cook came by again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hundred bucks.
Can you do that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, barely,”
Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ten minutes, out
that door,” the cook said pointing to the south. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Seriously,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. A chunk of that money goes to me, by
the way. So yeah, dead serious.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug finished the
‘game’ again enabling the RFID tracking program, almost out of boredom, as the
minutes passed. He finished his
tea, took a few minutes to visit the men’s room, and then headed out the south
door. A white box van emblazoned
with ‘Iowa Organic’ waited, idling. The cold rain poured down beyond
the overhead canopy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s the one,”
the cook said, looking over Doug’s shoulder. “You don’t have the cash when they
make the transfer, you’ll get busted up, though. So be damned sure you’re ready
to get in that van.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks. For everything,” Doug said, getting in
the van. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t sit there, just
get in the back,” the driver said, pulling away from the curb as soon as Doug
closed the door. He found a seat
in the back of the van, on a bench normally used for cargo. “Five minutes we go into a warehouse.
You’ll pay the guys inside. You’ll then meet the driver heading wherever the
Hell it is you want to go. Got it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Several blocks
away, Doug couldn’t tell exactly where or how far they’d traveled, they pulled
into a darkened door of a warehouse. The driver killed the lights and shut off
the truck. Doug heard the overhead door of the warehouse close, and the
warehouse lights flickered on. The rear door of the van opened from the
outside. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning,
Mister Peterson,” a voice said, startling Doug. Kevin Martinez, in his wheelchair,
sat opposite the open door. “Welcome to Iowa.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s heart sank,
and he slumped back into his seat. ‘Regent,’ he thought. ‘They’re going to kill me.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Out of the van,
if you would,” Martinez said.
“Grab your gear.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He did as he was
told, climbing out of the van as the other men in the room went about their
business. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Come over to the
office,” Martinez said. Doug was
surprised that there weren’t weapons trained on him. They entered a small
‘manager’s office’ and Martinez closed the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Finally getting
the Hell out, huh?” Martinez asked. “Welcome back to the world,” offering his
hand. Kevin Martinez was now working on a beard and had a freshly shaved head,
with several tattoos on his neck and arms he’d not seen before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug shook it, not
quite knowing what was going on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re the last
one that I figured could make it out. I’ve been wondering when you’d bail.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t
understand,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Eight of us died
in a plane crash two days ago, as far as the Company knows. No survivors. Went
down in the storm the other night in Lake Superior, the story goes. Eventually
they’ll find some wreckage.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I figured you
were…” Doug started. “You’re not with Regent? I thought I was a dead man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Regent killed my
brother. Saturday morning. Captive bolt-gun to the back of the head. They don’t
know I found that out. He was in Chicago at the time.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug didn’t speak
for a moment. “Same as Francine and Rob Dowling,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. Probably the Kliests as well. Now I know who did it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sorry about…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t be. He was
an asshole. Still, he died only because he’s related to me. Corporate has a loose cannon and
they’re cleaning things up, or so they think. I have enough on them to end it.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re…Aren’t you
just as guilty?” Doug asked quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I would be in a
court of law, yeah. I know too much. But what I know won’t end up in court.
Some of my teams have lost family recently, dead, disappeared, whatever.
Several of us were on that plane that ‘went down in the lake’. My guys are getting outfitted to
hunt and kill. They’ll be starting
soon,” Martinez said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How did you find
me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Damned few people
heading east from Denver these days. You weren’t hard to spot on the Regent
surveillance network, especially with continuous facial recognition. You disappeared though for awhile in
Omaha, or so thinks Regent. You
will be spotted headed to Sioux Falls, and then your electronic I.D. will go
off line when the truck hits Williston, North Dakota, all according to the
Regent intelligence network.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” Doug asked stupidly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your escape east
has been covered--by me. Regent
doesn’t know that I have a slew of tunnels into their network, and that it’s
pretty damned easy to manipulate their system.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t know what
to say.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good. Then shut
up and listen. If you have
anything Regent, get rid of it immediately. Throw it in the microwave over
there, for instance,” Martinez said, pointing to the dirty microwave on the
opposite wall. “Once the lid blows from the pressure cooker, that whole company
and anyone associated with it is dead. You understand?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah,” Doug
replied “How did you know…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your family has a
pretty nice farm. With borrowed satellite imagery, it’s easy to see who’s there
and when,” Kevin said. “Where else were you going to go? Your wife’s pregnant,
still there on the farm. Logical
that you’d head this way. Once the system spotted you on that truck, I logged
into the system, figured out the truck manifest and destination. Coming through Des Moines. Your truck pinged every single receiver
on the highway and just confirmed location and arrival time in Des Moines. Three truckstops left in the city, only
one on the east side. It wasn’t difficult. The two ladies in the restaurant
helped I.D. you for me. Twenty dollar gold piece and you can buy a lot of
friendship.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who are these
people?” Doug said, pointing to the warehouse workers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Normal people,
hoping to make a buck. They’re good at getting stuff where it needs to be and
getting it there without legal interference.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug sat in one of
the worn office chairs, unable to think of what to do next. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bit much to take
in one big bite, I think,” Kevin Martinez said, passing Doug a worn flask. “Take a shot of that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug did, without
thinking too much about it. The
liquor was absurdly smooth and unlike anything he’d ever consumed. Spiced with
something. “What is that?” Doug said, passing it back to Martinez. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Moonshine. From a
little town in North Carolina.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s…perfect.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. Tough to
get unless you’ve got connections,” Martinez said, taking a drink himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re in the
‘shine business now?” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Now? You mean
‘still’. We all need a little
sideline. Provides me a certain layer of security, otherwise not available to
me in my former employ. It’ll also conveniently provide you a ride not far from
your farm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I really don’t
know what to say,” Doug said. “I have a million questions.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’ve got about
five minutes, and you’re on that outbound Freightliner. Make them good
questions.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug didn’t know
whether he should completely trust Martinez or not. This could all be an
elaborate ruse…there was no way to be sure either way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who is your
target? The people that killed my friends?” Doug asked, quickly coming to the
correct conclusion that this was the most important thing he could ask. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Class A dickhead
in Columbus. Currently a V.P. by the name of Holdren.” The name triggered Doug’s memory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve met him.
Along with his boss…Slocum, and another V.P. by the name of…Salvatore,” Doug
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Orders came from
that office. Only that office,” Martinez said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’ve not met
him, or the other two?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Only Slocum, and
from a distance. He seemed to think I was less of a man because I’m in a chair,
or that was my impression from a ten-second introduction.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, that’s a
perfectly accurate impression actually.
I met the three of them here at the Regent plant, back in May. Slocum
didn’t talk much, but when he did…he knew things he shouldn’t normally have
known, and used words like weapons. Personal attack, I mean,” Doug illustrated.
“The other two, well, they seemed afraid of him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“He’s my number
one target. Problem is, he’s been off-grid for a week. I have no idea where he
is….and that’s saying something,” Martinez said. “The other two, well, they’re
easy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What about after
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Crawl in a hole
and pull a rock over me until it’s over.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What is the ‘it’
you’re referring to?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Civil war of
course. You’re seriously not that dense, Peterson. You know this has been
coming.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s…comforting
to hear someone else say it, actually,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Coming soon.
Weeks, not much longer.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How do you know?
Why are you so sure?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“New Republic and
the President are on the same side. Think about that for a minute,” Martinez
said, looking at a clipboard on his desk. “President’s going to win, unless something dramatic
happens fairly soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t get it.
The same side…how can that possibly be the truth?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“President is
talking nothing but central control from the get-go, from top to bottom to get
rid of all the ‘problems’ that have been
‘standing in the way of progress’. New
Republic is pointing out exactly the same things…just blaming the Federal
Government for the problems. Exactly
the same things. Same side. All those purges
and resignations? He’s not shuffling the deck. He’s stacking it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So you’re saying
the Federal Government is going to start the next Civil War?” Doug asked,
taking another swig from the flask.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not all of the
Federal Government. Just maybe the top third of it. Or more correctly, ‘a
third’ of it,” Martinez said, taking the flask back and taking a drink himself.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why? Why on God’s
green earth would they do this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You can only fool
the people for so long. Once they start to figure it out, or once the whole
thing is about to blow, you need to step in and make sure you stay on top of
the heap. That’s all it is—maintaining power. Absolute, unquestioned power.
Here and globally,” Martinez said. “You better get moving. That’s your driver,”
he said, pointing to the window of the office, where a man was looking in,
tapping his watch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good luck, Doug.
Hope you have a good life,” he said, shaking Doug’s hand again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thank you, Kevin.
I hope you do as well.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-63426483810945473642013-10-27T19:04:00.002-07:002013-10-27T19:04:40.155-07:00Distance, Chapter 55
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>3202</o:Words>
<o:Characters>18255</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>152</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>36</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>22418</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1539</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">55<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tuesday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">September Twelfth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7:14 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug stood before
the window of his soon-to-be-empty apartment, looking out at the Front Range
and thirteen columns of black smoke rising from many areas of the city and
suburbs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He’d risen early,
unable to sleep, and packed the last of his few belongings in the low-priority
baggage to be shipped to Regent Columbus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>His highest priority items resided in a very business-like backpack,
containing all of the elements an individual would need for three days to a
week, including an M9 Beretta and magazines. On the company aircraft that Doug
was expecting, the pack would travel with him unchecked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Travel on commercial airlines would see
the bag emptied, the weapon secured in a locked enclosure and placed under
constant supervision of an armed and uniformed air marshal. Doug would also
have to pay a surcharge for the privilege of bringing a firearm aboard. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug had noted the
fires, appearing to burn unchecked, not long after sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lone AM radio station did not
mention them, only providing innocuous local news and weather forecasts, and
some puff pieces on upcoming Federal appointees, followed by meaningless story
about a high-end invitation only dinner and reception for several un-named
foreign dignitaries, to be held in the Zone at an undisclosed location.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d turned on the television, finding
only black screens on all channels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>FM radio stations seemed to be operating normally, until he noted there
were no DJ’s announcing songs, filling the transitions with meaningless drivel,
or news at the top and bottom of the hour. It seemed fully automated on all
stations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug also noted that the
little LED on the ‘cable box’, most likely the hub of the apartments’
surveillance system, was dark—it had never been ‘off’ in Doug’s memory. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Finally, at nearly
seven-thirty, two men from ‘Preferred Shipping’ arrived at Doug’s door, quickly
loading up a single hand-truck with Doug’s things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both were in their late twenties or early thirties, wearing
worn and not particularly clean coveralls with a company logo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug welcomed them further into the
apartment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This is it?
Seriously?” the larger of the two asked—he reminded Doug of a linebacker.
“Thought there’d be more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You not
taking any of this?” he said, waving at the furniture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Belongs to the
company,” Doug said. “This was a temp job.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Pretty nice
digs,” said the second man, a thin, wiry twenty-something with numerous
tattoos. “Jeezus pleezus, lookit them fires,” he said, looking out over the
city. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Saw them at
sunrise. What’s going on? There’s nothing on the radio,” Doug said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linebacker stopped his companion from
replying. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We gotta get
moving. We got orders to get you to DIA as soon as we can. We gotta
non-disclosure against talkin’. Can’t even give ya our names. Sorry.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You guys want
some coffee before we go? Just going to waste otherwise,” Doug said, taking a
different tack. “Or the maid’ll take it. Can’t take it with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He noted that the men exchanged quick
glances. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, we’re not
supposed to,” the larger man said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m not telling,”
Doug said. “Let me get a couple of mugs.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug retrieved two
Regent mugs from the kitchen, and filled them both with some of the Kona coffee
provided to him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Cream and sugar?”
Doug asked, getting both out from the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You serious? This
is real coffee? And sugar?” Tattoo asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Company provided
it. Hard to get,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Impossible. Not
hard,” Linebacker said, pouring an ample dose of cream into the mug, and two
tablespoons of sugar. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah, I know.
It’s getting pretty shitty out there,” Doug said, sitting down at the polished
mahogany dining table. “Have a seat if you like.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We would so get
our asses fired if our boss knew about this,” Tattoo said, pulling up a chair.
“I haven’t had a coffee in months.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linebacker sat
down across from Doug. “Uh, Mister Peterson, do you, uh, have any plans for
your leftover stuff? I mean your leftover stuff in the kitchen?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No, not a one.
Want it? There’s not much in there, but the Company will just toss it before
someone new moves in,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’d be a shame to
waste it,” Linebacker said. “You mind if we take that along?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not at all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s not much in the fridge, just
that leftover cream and some stuff that oughta get tossed. I had the concierge
send up the cream and the orange juice for breakfast, and that loaf of bread.
Freezer’s got some stuff though. Bacon, a few steaks and chops,” Doug said
offhandedly, seeing the reaction of the two men. “Split it if you like.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Uh, OK. We can
take care of that for you,” Tattoo said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Now, could you
give me a little news from the outside?” Doug asked quietly, having provided
them payment in advance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sat
there for a few moments before either answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You didn’t hear
this from us, OK? We’d get canned if we tell anyone anything, and canned in
this town is as good as being on the street, which is just this side of dead.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Didn’t hear a
thing from you two,” Doug said, taking a drink of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Riots all over
the place. Feds tried a house-to-house search for guns or some-such, some kid
fresh from that goat-screw down in Mexico took exception and they shot him
dead. That was last night about eleven,” Tattoo told Doug. “That was over in
Lakewood.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linebacker
continued. “Word got out quick. Bunch of black-wearin’ thugs started showing up
on other people’s doorsteps, just bang in the door with a big ol’ sledge and
start looking for God knows what. Someone popped one of those Feds in the face
with a twelve-gauge when they busted inta his place, and then the neighbors
joined in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Them fires are the
Feds’ tanks a-burnin’.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Tanks?” Doug
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Might as well be,
yeah. Some of them armored things left over from Afghanistan, sorta looks like
a semi-tractor. Big ‘n black and a chain gun up in the roof. They burn real
good, you get enough fuel on ‘em,” Linebacker said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That’s gotta have
the Feds shittin’ bricks,” Doug said, in a more casual dialect. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You got that
right. Getting the Hell outta here’s about the smartest move out there.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What about you
guys? This thing comes apart, you got a plan?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They exchanged
looks before Tatoo answered. “We got plans. We’re gonna be just fine. Question
is, where you headin’?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Supposed to go to
Columbus, finish up with the company, then a nice quiet corner of nowhere.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Bad shit comin’,
Mister Peterson. Bad shit.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. If this is
the way it looks in our temporary Capitol, what does the rest of the country
look like?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug asked. Neither of
the men answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They finished up
the coffee, and Tattoo made a trip down to their truck to retrieve moving
boxes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within ten minutes, the
kitchen was stripped of all remaining foodstuffs, soaps and detergents;
everything packed in boxes and secured to a second hand truck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both men were in considerably better
moods as they left the apartment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8:20 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug rode in the
back seat of the double-cab box van, showing his I.D. badge as the van was
searched at the roadblock, finally getting the nod from the armed and armored
security team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linebacker radioed
in to his dispatcher on the company radio, briefly stating they had ‘the
package’ and were heading to DIA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The dispatcher acknowledged the pickup, with orders to report from DIA
for their next assignment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Surprised they
didn’t open up the boxes and search them, too,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“They’ve got our
seals on them,” Tattoo replied. “We’re bonded shippers, so they don’t search
our stuff once we seal it up. Penalty for not playing by their rules is wicked
steep.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good thing that
we’re following the rules then,” Doug said with a chuckle. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yessir!”
Linebacker said as he laughed. “Them porterhouses woulda been wasted in them
boys.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Interstate
Seventy, heading east toward the Denver International interchange was virtually
deserted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug noted numerous
additional plumes of smoke on the eastern side of the metro area as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Same thing over
here? Feds?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Could be. Could
be boys just gettin’ off on gettin’ even, too. Lotta that goes on outside the
Zone,” Linebacker replied. “But usually only at nighttime. Fires mostly burn
out by dawn.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The van approached
the airport, cruising along the empty Pena Boulevard. Doug contemplated the
flight to Columbus, and what he’d do once he arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Linebacker suddenly slammed on the brakes, jarring Doug in
the back seat and forcing him to grab whatever he could as the van slewed to a
stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A rapidly expanding cloud of
fire and thick black smoke rose near the Airport.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Jeezus,” Tattoo
said as the van stopped in the middle of the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You think sum’n bagged a frickin’ plane?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Dunno,”
Linebacker replied, “but no way in Hell am I drivin’ up to all that security in
a van that looks like a truck bomb.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He turned the van around and headed west in the eastbound lanes, soon
crossing over to the other side of the boulevard.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sorry, Mister
Peterson. You’re not getting to the airport today,” Tattoo said as Linebacker
radioed in to dispatch. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Dispatch, this is
Fourteen. Something bad just happened at the airport. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not going out there,” Linebacker
said. No response from the dispatcher came through. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We gotta get off
this highway,” Tattoo said. “This ain’t a good place to be. Feds gonna come
down like a hammer again.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Take the next
exit,” Doug said. “Bunch of hotels to the south of here. What do you mean by
‘again?’”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Some government
people bit it last week at the airport. Any truck or car moving got shot all to
Hell by helos. Friends of ours were running a cargo load. The never knew what
hit ‘em.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Linebacker took
the next exit, quickly but legally, driving the posted limit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The flashing lights of a Colorado State
Patrol car met them, speeding north toward the airport. It passed them without
notice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Next one on the
left,” Doug said. “Over there. There’s a few vans in the parking lot like this
one.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tattoo was
scanning the horizon toward the city. “Choppers coming. Jeez. Six of ‘em.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The van slowed,
pulled into the parking lot, and casually parked near three other box vans. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maybe it’s time
for a late breakfast,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We ain’t really
dressed for a place like this,” Tattoo said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’ll be OK.
We’ll just tell ‘em the truth,” Doug replied. Linebacker took a smaller radio
from the dash of the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This’n links to
the main radio,” he said to Doug. “Maybe dispatch’ll have an idea what’s goin’
on.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The hotel
restaurant had a dozen or so people inside, many looking to the northeast as
the smoke plume towered into the sky. The waitress greeted Doug at the front
desk. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“C…Can I help
you?” she asked shakily. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, we were
heading to the airport when something happened…we figured we should maybe come
here,” Doug said. “Can we stay here? Tom and Larry here are helping me ship
some important materials,” he said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Uh, sure. No one
knows what happened. Take a seat anywhere. I’ll get you some menus and coffee,”
she said, and then asking quietly,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Do you have money?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. We’re
good,” Doug spoke confidently. “I’ve got this.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The waitress went
to get a carafe of coffee as they took their seats. Tattoo asked, “So which one
of us is Larry?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Two hours passed
before ‘Tom’ and ‘Larry’ heard from their dispatcher, who ordered them back to
the Metro area for their next assignment. While they were waiting, speculation
ran wild in the hotel and the restaurant about what had happened at the
airport, but no television coverage of it appeared, other than a simple
statement ‘</span>that at the present time, DIA had been closed due to an
incident.’ <span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The statement was not repeated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both of the men apologized to Doug for
leaving him short of his destination, and suggested that he might be able to
catch a ride on an Eastbound convoy of semis, which were on regular schedules
departing every few hours. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug would be left
to fend for himself, his two large suitcases, suit bag, a soft-side attaché and
backpack in the restaurant of the Front Range Suites. Doug’s essentials were in
the backpack and the attaché, which was actually a detached portion of the
backpack. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Hang on a second
before you go,” he told ‘Tom’ and ‘Larry.’ He headed over to the desk of the
concierge. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“May I be of
service?” the well-groomed young man asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. It appears
that my flight out today will not be taking off. Do you have rooms available?”
Doug asked, fishing out his Regent credit card and sliding it into the hands of
the concierge, who looked at it briefly and handed it back without entering
into the computer. Months before, Doug had concealed the card in a very thin
scan-proof sleeve in his backpack. In theory, the case prevented the embedded
chip to be detected ‘on the fly’. In reality, Doug had no idea if the
technology really worked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We are fully
booked at this time, but we should have a large contingent of guests checking
out within the next two hours, leaving on ground transport. Would that be of
interest?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. That would
be fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>May I store those bags
until that time?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“But of course. I
will reserve a suite for you, Mister Peterson. How many nights?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, I’m
uncertain on that. Have you heard when the airport will reopen?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Unfortunately
not, sir. I cannot hazard a guess.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Let’s call it
three nights then, just in case.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Excellent, sir.
Until your room is available, you are welcome to use our conference center at
your convenience.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How is your
communications service? Still intact? I’ve been working at the FDA downtown for
quite a while.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Apologies, sir,
there are some limited connections to the Federal network, but only with proper
login and authorization. Unfortunately, telephones are a bit spotty as well.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No problem. I may
just take a stroll around. Pretty day for a walk.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It is at that,
sir,” the concierge said, signaling to a bellhop to retrieve Doug’s bags, tag
and store them. Doug paid the bill for ‘brunch’ with his Regent
card—deliberately—and then put it back into the metallic sleeve. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mind if I catch a
ride with you two?” Doug asked ‘Tom’ and ‘Larry’, who both raised their
eyebrows at the question. “Just drop me at that truck stop you mentioned.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What about your
stuff?” ‘Larry’ asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“They’ll store it.
They think I’m staying here tonight. With luck, I’ll be on a truck headed east
by then.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure. Saddle up.
Thanks for brunch, Mister Peterson. Can’t tell my girlfriend about this though.
She’d kill me if she found out I had eggs benedic’,” ‘Larry’ replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Five miles south
of the cluster of hotels, the van pulled into the truck stop, just off of
Airport Boulevard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parking lot
was packed, with easily more than a hundred trucks parked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Weird to see this
many mid-day,” ‘Tom’ said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Should be
on the road this time a-day,” Larry replied. “You might be in luck, Mister
Peterson.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maybe so,” Doug
said as the van stopped near the far end of the fueling island. He grabbed is
pack, thanked the men again, and closed the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The van quickly turned around and left as Doug made his way
up the fueling island, checking out the trucking companies along the way. He
knew most of their coverage areas as well as they did, in his former life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Anyone heading
east?” Doug asked two drivers conversing as their tanks filled. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Damn near ever’
one. Needin’ a lift?” said a rotund, overall-clad man about Doug’s age. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Doesn’t
look like flying’s an option,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Got that right.
Hell’a mess over there,” the second driver said. He looked to be too old to be
driving. “Where ya headed?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Des Moines.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m headed to
Chicago,” the first man replied. “We leave in twenty minutes. You got some
scratch?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug looked the
older man in the eye and asked, “What’s the goin’ rate?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Whatever the
driver can get, a-course,” the younger driver replied with a wink.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Twelve hour
drive, probably a stop or three for security, maybe a few Federal searches
along the way, I’d guess?” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Depends,” the
older driver replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This a Federal
convoy, or private?” Doug asked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Depends,” the
driver repeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug was getting
frustrated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK. Let’s cut the
bullshit then,” Doug said, taking out his Federal ID and FDA badge, which
caused both men to step back involuntarily.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I have business in Des Moines. These can be used to make
things easier, or more difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What’s your price?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How’s fifty bucks
gold?” the man answered quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I don’t have any
ten-coins. Call it good at sixty, and no one will see these for the duration,”
Doug said, putting his obsolete Federal ID’s away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The younger driver laughed and shook his head. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Money’s more than
fine. And keep that ID handy. Might smooth things along the way. Ya never
know,” the older driver said, shaking Doug’s hand. “Sorry about that.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not to worry,”
Doug answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">They cleared the
truck stop exit on schedule, part of a fifty-truck convoy protected by private
security ahead, within, and behind the line of trucks. Lead and chase vehicles surrounded
the convoy, jumping ahead to block off on-ramps, provide scouting of the
highway ahead of the main convoy, and trailing units keeping an eye on any
vehicles that might approach from the rear. There was no citizens’ band radio
chatter on orders of the convoy commander. Without anything but Government
approved radio within radio range of Denver, Doug and the driver, Ezra
Hempstead, had little to listen to, other than the commands of the convoy
commander to the security team, and some ancient Country Western music dating
from the sixties. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug told Ezra
that the business in Des Moines wasn’t related to official FDA business, which
was correct of course—he was no longer employed there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the miles ticked away, Ezra told
Doug to ‘catch some Z’s while you can’. Just outside of Sterling, Colorado he
took the advice, made himself comfortable, and dozed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two hours later,
the truck lurched to a sudden stop, waking Doug from a particularly nice
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The weather had turned
while he slept—he woke to steady rain and gusting wind from the north. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You OK?” Ezra
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Surprised
me that we stopped is all,” he said, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. “Where
are we?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Five miles outta
North Platte.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Checkpoint?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Looks like the
road’s closed. Expect we’ll be here awhile,” Ezra replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Did the convoy
leader say that?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“They never say
that, but no one’s movin’, and there’s no reason to stop here unless there’s
trouble up ahead. If there’s any trouble between here and Grand Island, I’d bet
we’re here for the night.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Weather sure went
downhill,” Doug said. “Do you make this run often?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Six days a week
for three and a half months. Seen enough of this road to last a lifetime.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“</span>Exiting at
Eighty Three South. Stay in queue and park as directed<span style="font-style: normal;">,” the convoy leader directed on the radio. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“And there you
are,” Ezra said. “Hope you brought a book or two to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re restricted to the truck stop
area, or whatever they designate as a truck park. No one leaves their truck until
we get the say-so.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For twenty
minutes, the convoy crawled along Interstate Eighty, barely moving toward the
interchange.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, the
hundred-truck convoy parked in a huge, graveled parking area a half-block from
a local truck stop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“One through twenty, clear to exit. Back in
thirty, no exceptions,”<span style="font-style: normal;"> the radio stated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That’s us. We’re
nineteen, in case you didn’t know,” Ezra said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“But we’re
something like thirty-third in line, aren’t we?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yep. Doesn’t
matter where we are in line, though. Too much to keep track of in a
convoy.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug pulled a rain
shell from his pack, along with a baseball cap, and climbed down from the cab,
following Ezra in his ‘Hempstead Limited’ jacket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The convoy security teams had deployed and cordoned off the
truck park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug casually noted
five men with rifles, looking out through the grey rain at the small town of
North Platte. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This happen
often?” Doug asked. “Sorry I ask so many questions, by the way. Trying to learn
what it’s like out of the city.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Often
enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Haven’t had a clean run to
the east in four weeks, maybe five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>South’a here snipers are taking out solo drivers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gets worse the farther from the big
cities you go. So we convoy, those lead trucks usually are armored up. Glass,
steel plate, run-flat tires. The security boys run up ahead, see if there are
any traps on bridges or overpasses,” Hempstead explained as they crossed the
street toward the<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>truck stop
restaurant. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“More trouble away
from the cities? I don’t get it,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Seems wrong,
doesn’t it?” Ezra explained. “Used to be the other way around. Cities have
been, well, I guess you’d call it ‘pacified.’ Anyone gettin’ near a convoy
highway is pretty much fair game for security.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gangs and such that used to mob a convoy pretty much been
killed off by now. But out here, I figure it’s the loners. They got nothin’
left, so they figure to score a truckload of food or somethin’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Small towns like this’n have some real
problems. Can’t hardly feed themselves. You’ll see what I mean, inside,” Ezra
said as he opened the door. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The restaurant was
nearly deserted except for the truckers and a few security men, who were
looking out the windows and manning the doors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two men, obviously with the security detail, hauled in two
locking trunks, popped the latches, and started handing out sandwiches and
pouring coffee from a large, insulated container. A man and woman, Doug guessed
they were the cook and a waitress, stood and watched from behind the lunch
counter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The menu items, displayed
above the counter on a backlit plastic panel, were nearly all crossed out with
a black line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of the prices
had been removed, he noted. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You oughta hit
the can while you got time,” Ezra said. “One thing you should learn is to take
every opportunity. Can’t stop on the road. I’ll get you a sandwich and some
coffee.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK,” Doug
said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“One more thing.
No talkin’ to the locals,” Hempstead told Doug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Doesn’t pay to stir the pot.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-74818524636745985642013-09-18T21:22:00.000-07:002013-09-18T21:22:01.634-07:00Distance, Chapter 54
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>3654</o:Words>
<o:Characters>20828</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>173</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>41</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>25578</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1539</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">54<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">September Eleventh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6:05 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Regent Plaza, Denver<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug rose at
five-thirty, eager to put his last day behind him and plan his return to
Julie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His FDA routine included
visits to the employee gym buried inside the Regent Plaza building, one of the
few shared facilities used both by Federal employees and Regent Denver
staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug knew that this was one
of the information interchange points within the Regent sphere of influence…a
casual conversation while working out could easily turn into a goldmine of
information for all parties involved. Through his months of service in Denver,
Doug had been approached a number of times, and had remained coolly
professional, not betraying any information on any FDA program, nor any of his
corporate history with Regent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His
role-playing, if perceived as intended, gave Doug the image of the straight
shooter who was above petty influence peddling. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stepping onto one
of the fifteen treadmills, Doug punched in his preferred program, a ten mile
run over varying terrain, mapped on the small flat panel display in front of
him, and interactive, providing him a ‘view’ of upcoming terrain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A half-mile into his run, another
runner joined him on the next treadmill, a deliberate move, since so many
treadmills were open. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You’re Peterson,
aren’t you?” the man next to him asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. Doug
Peterson,” Doug replied, not interrupting his breathing pattern. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Davis
Blankenship. We spoke last spring,” the man replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug stopped his treadmill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blankenship was imposing, probably in his mid fifties,
around six-four, probably a little over two hundred pounds, and appeared to be
ready to run a marathon or go mountain climbing. No paunch, no flab, drill-like
eyes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug noted that
several people on adjacent machines moved away from them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“V.P. Operations,
right?” Doug asked, knowing that the Regent executive would appreciate the
recognition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He recalled his
research on Blankenship, completed months before, along with every other
director and executive he could identify. Research was everything in sales,
Doug knew. He had to know the players, and long ago, he’d made it a point to
know everything he could about both the players and the playing field.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Correct. I
understand you’re leaving the FDA as part of the latest changing of the guard.
Is that true?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The new director
is making changes, wholesale. I however, had already submitted my letter of
resignation. My wife is expecting and has had some complications,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’ve seen your
resignation letter,” Blankenship replied, “Along with the earlier letter of
course, from your wife.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Regent had done
their research as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Things are well
underway, sir.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think the Regent
Performance objectives will be achieved, without my influence at the FDA or
within Regent,” Doug said quietly. They were now alone in their quarter of the
exercise floor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The Company’s
objectives are complex and far-reaching. There is still substantial work
ahead,” Blankenship said, not quite completely dismissing Doug’s unspoken
notice of resignation. “There is a position waiting for you at the distribution
center in Columbus. I understand that you’re leaving the FDA today. The
Chairman and I expect you to be in Columbus by the end of tomorrow. There’s no
possibility of staying in Denver of course. Can’t have you jump from Federal to
private employ and stay in the same building, especially if the director wants
you out.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I understand the
offer but I really do have pressing needs to be with my family,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You apparently
don’t understand,” Blankenship said quietly but forcefully, head lowered as he
looked at Doug intently. “This isn’t an offer. You will arrive in Columbus, and
you will undergo a thorough debrief on your time with the current
administration. At that time, your status with the Company will be
reviewed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Your compensation
package of course, is dependent on this,” the older man stated, in a
threatening tone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Doug heard, ‘</span>Your
life depends on this.’<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was fuming. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“As the Company
brought you to Denver, the Company will also relocate you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By nine a.m. tomorrow morning, your
belongings will be loaded up for shipment on one of our transports.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll be on that transport.
Understood?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“I’ll go to
Columbus, but after that I’m gone,” Doug replied, ice in his voice, leaning
toward Blankenship, speaking quietly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was about ready to deck the larger man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do </span>you<span style="font-style: normal;"> understand?
Do you know what </span>I know?<span style="font-style: normal;"> Do you know
what protections </span>I’ve<span style="font-style: normal;"> put in place for
my family and myself? Do you know </span>who<span style="font-style: normal;">
gets the information, how many copies of it there are, and how many </span>sources<span style="font-style: normal;"> I have? How about </span>your<span style="font-style: normal;"> family, Davis? Your wife Barbara. Still at the place in the Hamptons,
or is she up at Telluride? Your son Patrick. Still at Columbia, right?
Molecular neurobiology? Tragic loss of your stepdaughter of course. My
condolences.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Blankenship’s
had lost twenty-one year-old Anne Marie in Paris in the Muslim takeover; the
girl had suffered a very public death. Blankenship looked as if he’d been
kicked in the stomach. His jaw muscles were bulging as he clenched his jaw, but
he remained silent. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“I didn’t get walk
</span>into<span style="font-style: normal;"> this job without leaving myself an </span>exit<span style="font-style: normal;"> path, Mister Blankenship. Unless I make certain
contacts at specific times, the information I have goes viral. So it pays to
leave me be,” Doug said with a slight smile, nodding to another FDA employee
taking a seat on a spinning machine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other Federal employees were moving in as well, hitting up the
elliptical trainer, carrying their coffees and vitamin waters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I’m sure of course, that you have
similar measures in place?” Doug continued, getting back on the treadmill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What I know stays with me, and I will
protect that information as long as I deem it necessary to do so. It’s not for
sale; it’s not for trade. It is solely my insurance policy.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You’re on the
plane in the morning. You miss it and the consequences will be unfortunate,”
Blankenship said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Might
be unfortunate all around,” Doug replied, pausing for a moment. “Don’t worry.
I’ll be on the plane.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8:10 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug wrapped up
his morning briefing with Dena, outlining his final day with the FDA, while his
mind was preoccupied with Regent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The majority of his day would be to summarize the work of the past few
months and progress with vendors and commercial plants within Doug’s area of
operations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The last hour or two
would be meeting with an untrained, uneducated former transportation
coordinator from the late Leinhardt National by the name of Karl Shearson. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Courtesy of Dena,
Doug had a full dossier on Shearson, a thirty-one year old former truck driver,
who had moved up inside Leinhardt solely it appeared, through ass-kissing his
superiors. Eighteen months at Ohio State, one point nine grade point average,
apparently majoring in partying, succeeding in getting kicked out of the lowest
ranked fraternity on campus. His father Gustav however, served thirty-nine years
on the Leinhardt board of directors, ensuring a fallback for young Karl. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Dena would be busy
doing actual work. Shearson would likely spend most of his time at </span>The
Mile, <span style="font-style: normal;">drinking and losing his Federal wages to
hookers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:25 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Shearson showed up
at four forty-five, introduced himself, sized up the office, thanked Doug for
his service, and was abruptly gone…leaving both Doug and Dena with the same
impression: </span>‘The guy’s a dolt.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dena had left a
few minutes after five, wishing Doug the best in his new life outside of
Denver. Doug thought there was a tinge of wistfulness in Dena’s voice, perhaps
wishing she were able to leave as well. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">After she’d left,
he tried to log into a few of the Federal websites that had been available to
him during his time in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
soon found them either non-responsive or requiring special login names or
passwords, which of course were different than his ‘regular’ login.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Information
passing through the Federal computer system was now completely unavailable to
anyone without the proper authentication—even including weather forecasts and
general departmental information. With pre-War Internet service a distant
memory, the only information available on what remained of the Web was
thoroughly approved by the Federal Government long before it was released to
the public. A few minutes after Dena had left the office, Doug’s desk phone
rang. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Doug Peterson,”
he answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Peterson,
this is Information Security Services. We’re noticing some unusual activity on
your computer,” the male voice asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, I was
trying to get to a number of pages and I find they’re all requiring new login
information. My regular login doesn’t seem to work.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sorry, sir. Your
login information and general access has been restricted as of nine a.m. this
morning,” the voice said. “As of five thirty p.m. tonight, your connection will
be deactivated.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Oh. Gotcha. I
guess I didn’t put two and two together.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sir, violation of
computer network security protocols is a very serious matter.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, I
understand. I didn’t think that…” Doug started. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sir, your
building access will be deactivated by six p.m. this evening. If you have not
logged out at the security desk by that time, you will be subject to arrest. Do
you have any need of assistance?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No. I’ll be
leaving shortly,” Doug replied, deliberately sounding tired and defeated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hung up the phone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, shit,” Doug
said to no one. He packed up the last few things that he wanted to take along,
including his leather portfolio, his favorite mug, and a couple of worn novels
that he’d used more as props than as reading material, and put them in the file
box that Dena had provided him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Time to go.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few minutes
later, Doug stood at the security desk in the lobby, a space enclosed in
ballistic glass and staffed by unsmiling, humorless men. Doug was required to
sign five separate non-disclosure agreements, after being electronically
fingerprinted, photographed, and searched for any Federal materials. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His old Palm PDA
was opened, turned on and reviewed briefly, but not docked or checked for any
files that might’ve been secreted away. Any attempt to dock the antique
would’ve triggered a security breach, as would any flash drive that didn’t
include the requisite Federal security software.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There weren’t any files that he’d take with him in any
regard—everything he’d learned was still in his head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Security invalidated Doug’s electronic log in, but let
him keep the ID badge, which he didn’t quite understand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">By six p.m., Doug
was at his apartment, where he found a notice from </span><i>‘Preferred Shipping
Service’</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, confirming that they would arrive by seven a.m. the following day to </span><i>‘expedite
your move.’</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“Not wasting any
time, are we?” he said again to no one, plugging in his PDA to charge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The refrigerator held no useable food,
although the freezer had a few edibles remaining.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He drank one of the last three beers while re-packing his
travel bags, changed into casual wear, and headed across the street to </span><i>‘Mothers’</i><span style="font-style: normal;">, another of the Federally-dependent restaurants that
catered to workers housed in the Zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The shapely
hostess seated him in a cozy booth in the noisy bar, where he was almost
immediately served complimentary appetizers and bottled water, as his cocktail
was crafted without question. He’d ordered a complicated version of a
Manhattan, just to see if they could indeed create it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within minutes, the drink, called a </span>Fourth
Regiment<span style="font-style: normal;">, served straight up, was on his table.
He sampled it, having had it only once before in New York years before. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This is <i>perfect</i>,”
he said to the young waitress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Glad to hear
that, sir. I hadn’t heard of that particular creation. Are you here for dinner
this evening?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. Last night
here, actually,” Doug said, having another sip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, I thank you
for joining us! Our specials this evening are seared veal tenderloin, which is
served with a chestnut maple puree, caramelized cauliflower and grilled
chanterelles; a dry aged porterhouse steak with baked potato and blue cheese,
sautéed mushrooms and broccoli; and finally from New England, a fresh four
pound broiled lobster, served with fresh sautéed golden potatoes, green beans
in browned butter and shallots. Here’s the regular menu, if those don’t suit,”
she said, handing him the thick leather menu. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Thanks. I’ll take
a look,” Doug replied with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">‘Ninety-nine percent of the population would be
rioting if they knew this place existed and was charging ahead as if nothing
was wrong,’<span style="font-style: normal;"> he thought to himself. The prices
on the menu were all in inflated dollars, but also listed in gold, he
noted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His cocktail alone would
likely be over twenty dollars gold, given the prices in the Zone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The television
programs, from what Doug could hear and see, appeared to a continuous series of
optimistic—and fictional—tales of the Recovery, of the successes of the Federal
relief programs, and bios of those men and women on the ground making it all
possible. A zenith of propaganda, there was nary a word of what might pass for
‘news’ in any respect, and certainly nothing of any troubles with the New
Republic. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Without being
obvious, Doug studied the assemblage at </span><i>‘Mothers’</i>.<span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the
right, several Federal employees were engaged in overly intimate conversations
with members of their own gender, which Doug noted without judgment; to the
left, another group of overly well-dressed Federal workers were deep in the
midst of negotiations with each other, or with persons of negotiable virtue who
were overly pretty or overly handsome, and clearly not Federal employees.
Unlike </span><i>The Mile,</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> there was no pole
dancing, and the security staff here wore better suits, although they were
clearly armed under tailored jackets. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">‘Just another meat-market’<span style="font-style: normal;">, Doug thought to himself. </span>‘At least the food is worth the
screwing I’ll get.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Have you decided,
sir?” the waitress asked, bringing Doug back to reality. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The lobster, if
you would,” Doug said, maintaining his FDA/Regent persona.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was actually more interested in a
four cheese pasta with smoked bacon, but that choice would’ve been seriously
out of character. “And, another of these,” he said, raising the remains of his
cocktail. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Absolutely. Right
away, sir,” the waitress said with a slight bow. Doug noticed that she’d
unbuttoned two buttons on her blouse since she’d been at his table last. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">‘Not interested, young lady,’<span style="font-style: normal;"> Doug thought. </span>‘Tomorrow, Columbus. What the
Hell is that going to be like? How do I get out of that snare?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">From the research
that Doug had completed prior to joining the company, the Regent distribution
center was an cluster of buildings near the Port Columbus Airport, an
unimpressive massing of warehouses with a sprinkling of modest offices
nearby—he’d seen it from the airport, but never visited it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Columbus Data Center was located to
their downtown headquarters, both highly secure buildings before things started
coming apart. He was sure that they’d be fortresses by now. </span>‘What do
they have in mind for me?’<span style="font-style: normal;"> he thought, his
second cocktail arriving, again perfect in its’ creation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“A rare creation,”
a much older man stated, standing near Doug’s table. The man was wearing
clothing perhaps too casual for the restaurants in the heart of the Zone, and
yet still conveyed a sense of both wealth and…something else. “May I join you?”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, sure, I
guess,” Doug said, falling a bit out of character. “I’m Doug…” the man raised
his hand, stopping Doug cold. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“No names needed
or desired. It is often better not to know,” the man said, taking off the long,
brown leather coat and seating himself across the polished mahogany table. The
man wore black slacks, a black Oxford shirt, and a black sweater, in contrast
with white hair gathered in a ponytail, and piercing blue eyes set in a
weathered face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You are pondering
your next move?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man asked,
motioning to the waitress to deliver another </span>Fourth Regiment <span style="font-style: normal;">to the table. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug sat there,
not speaking, for several seconds longer than he realized, wondering who this
stranger was, so at ease across from him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We are all
pondering this. Perhaps your decisions are of the immediate. Many here tonight
cannot see beyond the conquest of the next few hours, yes?” the man said, a
hint of some European accent coming to light. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Probably
correct,” Doug said. “Yeah, I have some things in front of me.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“But not within
Denver. You aren’t playing the game of the others, so therefore your mind is
elsewhere, racing ahead,” the man said, his cocktail arriving, along with a
menu. He dispatched the waitress with a simple order of the four-cheese pasta
dish. “And so you are alone. I am on a similar path, this may be the last time
I am in a great city.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What is your
work? What do you do?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I once ran a
business. Banking, venture capital, international finance, leveraged buy-outs,
mergers. After thirty years, there was no joy or satisfaction. There was
nothing but sameness, and in the end, regret. One day, I woke up. My wife had
long since left me, my children estranged, there was no reconciliation…too much
had happened. More importantly, there was just emptiness in my life. I changed.”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Just like that,”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Certainly not. I
embarked on a journey, perhaps as you are about to start, as I continue to be
changed by my own days.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“And where does
the journey take you?” Doug asked, intrigued. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The outskirts of
small town in an out of the way place. With the providence of the Creator, my
work is there. It has been there for quite some time now. My work is similar to
that of a monastery in the Dark Ages,” the man said, leaning back against the
thick cushions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Oh, so you’re a
religious man,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not particularly.
My work is more scholarly,” the man said, sipping his cocktail. “This really is
a remarkable thing,” he said reflecting. “It is a shame these will not be
possible soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m sorry? I
don’t understand,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“For twenty five
years, or perhaps more, it has been apparent to me that these times are
coming,” the man said, waving his hand toward the crowd. “From the days when
‘moral relativism’ was first mentioned, to the </span>covert<span style="font-style: normal;"> corruption that soon went </span>overt<span style="font-style: normal;">; the cancer of government programs and entitlements
and blowing up the money; to the inevitable connections between my old world of
finance and the realm of sponsored terrorism, brush wars and the losses of
freedoms…then on to full-scale surveillance of all, everywhere, and always. It
is of course natural that the boogeymen have been found everywhere the
government looks, but the government never looks hard enough inside itself or
its’ closest allies. The people are powerless to stop it…or so they believe
within the constant state of fear. This is a society that kills the unborn and
warehouses the old, shutting away the life-experiences that could be so </span>very<span style="font-style: normal;"> educational. A society that lies to itself about
consequences of daily decisions; foregoing the difficult for the convenient,
but soon to find them ruinous. So we are all criminals and prisoners,
everywhere and always, until everything of the old collapses and the criminals
are brought to justice. The convictions are coming.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That’s not
happening anytime soon,” Doug said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It is a cycle
that has happened dozens of times over civilized history and probably dozens of
times more in pre-recorded history, again lessons lost in time. It is entirely
natural, from its’ onset to its’ conclusion,” the man said. “It is the struggle
of generations upon generations, and from my studies of history, which without
intending to boast are extensive. We are in the closing act of this particular
play,” the man said, looking at the crowd as if one were looking at a museum
display. “The convictions that I speak of are both natural and those led by
mankind. My work seeks to preserve that which should be preserved, document
which will be needed, and be a repository for a point when the next Dark Age
ends,” he said, looking at Doug with his clear, blue eyes. “There are debts to
be paid to the future children in the lessons we have learned. We hope to help
see them paid.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You think that’s
where it goes next?” Doug asked, looking afresh at the room around him. “The
Dark Ages?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“With automatic
weapons and a clash of cultures, yes. It is a swing of a pendulum that is
decades, or even centuries in coming. The words </span>‘epic change’<span style="font-style: normal;"> are appropriate. That outcome is one of many that
are possible. Some are more dire than others, and so we prepare.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“A group of men
and women, who I work with,” the man said, as their dinners arrived
simultaneously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But your journey
takes you elsewhere. An uncertain future, I think.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I can’t disagree
with that,” Doug said. “I have to ask this, but you seem to be reading me like
a book. I hope what is on my mind is not that clearly shown on my face.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It is in your
eyes, not on your face, and no, it is not particularly clear to the casual
observer. I am not, however, a casual observer, which alone is why I am at this
table. Another observation, if you don’t mind,” the older man said, taking a
spoonful of the pasta dish as Doug took a bite of his own dinner. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure,” Doug said.
“In for a dime.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Oh, this is much more
valuable than the dime or what passes for a dollar these days,” the man said,
savoring the simple dinner. “Your presence here at this time tells me a great
deal. Perhaps you do not recognize the peril? I am curious as to why you remain
in the heart of the darkness that is this place?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug stopped for a
moment, taking a drink of the iced water provided. “I have my own work to do,
that is more than what it might seem, and I do recognize the peril.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“And yet you are
still here, on the eve of destruction,” the older man said with cool
forcefulness in his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not for long,”
Doug said. “I leave here soon.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m making my
point badly,” the man said, leaning back and looking at the food in front of
them. “You are still engaged in a system that you know is failing. You are not
in a hidden corner of a state, out of the way of the blast wave. You stand on
the sidewalk, waiting for the flash of the explosion. Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My own journey
happens to be about slowing down slavery, to be perfectly honest,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Ah, our enemies
within,” the man said, lowering his chin a little, and taking another bite.
“We’ve heard of this. In the food, yes?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug was stunned
into silence, and only after realizing he hadn’t moved in nearly a full minute,
he took a bite of the lobster, not tasting it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Do not be
shocked, young man. There are many voices in the storm, but few ears to hear.
This has been known to us for several years now, but we didn’t know it had been
implemented until several months ago.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m not sure I
should say anything here,” Doug said, feeling very uneasy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“A series of food
and beverage combinations, when combined in the correct ratio and with the
correct component parts, creates alterations in the mind of the consumer,
rendering them highly suggestive to authority, capable of performing normally
unspeakable acts, able and willing to serve their masters. There are worse
elements in play in the current environment, young man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps one of the more disturbing
characteristics of this alteration, is that there is no research on reversing
the effects,” the man said, continuing to eat, now nearly finished, and mopping
up the remaining sauce with bread torn from a small loaf, taken from a basket
on the table. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I don’t know
anything about that,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Another danger
that lurks in plain sight, are the choices we have. Assuming you are of Federal
employ, do you know your President? Do you know your Vice President? I don’t
mean personally, but do you know or suspect their intents? Or of this New
Republic?” the man asked, eyebrows slightly raised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not really. I
mean, we just know what is on the news and of course from their campaigns.
Information on the New Republic is at best distorted, but even the distortions
are cryptic,” Doug said, nearing the end of his own meal.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“There is much
more at risk for the future within the offices of the elected, both here in
Denver and within the New Republic, than meets the eye. The leaders are truly
the product of the generations, the ultimate representation of the faults of
the culture. You should be very, very cautious,” the man said, rising and
taking his coat. “This lovely dinner is on me, young man. I hope that you have
a fulfilling life, pursued in happiness,” he said, leaving a small leather
satchel of coins on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The man turned to go, looked over his shoulder at Doug for a moment,
nodded and left.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The waitress
returned to check on dessert for Doug’s table, and saw the weathered satchel. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My guest has just
bought dinner, it appears,” Doug said to the waitress, as she picked up the
soft bag and looking inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“This is for the
tab? That’s more than I make in a </span>month<span style="font-style: normal;">,”
she said, trying to remain composed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“He left a
generous tip,” Doug said to her, gathering his own jacket and taking the last
loaf of bread from the table. “A very generous tip.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-82024159837269179072013-08-28T20:01:00.000-07:002013-08-28T20:01:02.245-07:00Distance, Chapter 53
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>3036</o:Words>
<o:Characters>17308</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>144</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>34</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>21255</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1539</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">53<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sunday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">September tenth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7:40 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Des Moines International Airport<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug stood in the
security line, a few spare moments after leaving Julie in tears at the
curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d been up nearly all
night, talking about his return home; the new life they’d soon be starting;
their baby, due in February.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
drive in to Des Moines was a family affair, with Peter driving the big crew cab
farm truck, Arie in riding shotgun (literally) and Doug and Julie in the back.
They’d head over Mount Pleasant from Des Moines after dropping him off.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dressed in pressed
slacks, black Oxford shirt and a dark sportcoat, Doug also carried a black,
combat style backpack as his carry-on, and a small matching bag containing his
essentials.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The remaining bags
he’d brought on the trip East stayed at the Farm. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Security at the
airport was far tighter than anything Doug had seen in any of his travels,
including the Federal Zone in Denver.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Black-clad helmeted men carried short, stubby guns Doug recognized as
the Heckler & Koch MP-5. He’d trained on one briefly with Kevin Martinez.
All of the men had helmet visors down, but were scanning the dozen or so
passengers in the departure area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Screening was a
complete search of all of his bags; a strip search down to his underwear; and
an interrogation worthy of a clandestine agency that really didn’t care if you
were alive at the end of the day…while remaining in his underwear in a chilly
room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">While being
searched, Doug’s ID was logged into the Federal database and quickly compared
to his known and expected travel patterns, his biometric signature, and
three-dimensional photograph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>While in the interrogation area (he couldn’t continue to think of it as
a ‘screening’ area any longer), his voice was compared to known voice prints of
Douglas Michael Peterson, USFDA number 31668471SADREZ. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Once through the
interrogation process, Doug re-dressed and found himself in a now-windowless
terminal area. All of the large glass windows were now covered with black
plywood, and half of the lights were shut off. It was not possible to know
night from day in the terminal area. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The terminal staff
were no longer the typical tired-looking flight attendants and ticket agents,
but more black-clad security personnel; these were still wearing body armor,
but had shed the visored Kevlar helmets and machine pistols.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the seating had been removed
from the terminal, with the remaining seating limited to two straight rows of
chairs, facing each other. The rest of the chairs were piled up against the
shuttered coffee stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His fellow
passengers—he assumed were all heading for Denver—universally were looking down
at the floor or pretending to be comfortable with the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of the now thirty or so people, Doug
seemed to be the most at ease and relaxed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With only five minutes to boarding time, he activated his
Palm V and played chess, finishing the winning effort on the third level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Palm was now in ‘ping mode’. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The climb-out was
extraordinarily bumpy, but the mostly empty Boeing 737 soon settled into
cruising altitude at thirty-thousand feet…according to the flight deck; the
window shades were sealed shut. As far as Doug knew, they could be flying
anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Two hours would tell the
tale—the flight should only take a hour and forty-five minutes. There was no
in-flight service of any kind; indeed, there were no stewards whatsoever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug put his Palm away, after
briefly playing an unnecessary game of chess, and soon drifted off to sleep. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug was roughly
awakened as the plane entered a steep descent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’d first thought that the aircraft was in trouble, but one
of the other passengers across the aisle told him that they were probably in a
quick descent due to severe thunderstorms in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plane was also circling tightly to
the left; spiraling down to Denver International. Ten minutes or so of this,
and the plane quickly leveled and almost immediately touched down, braking hard
moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good God,” Doug
said. “What the Hell was that?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What’s the
matter, buddy? Never visited Baghdad back in the day?” a thuggish-looking man
in the row behind Doug said, with a grin. “Standard procedure where you don’t
want to get shot down.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Why would anyone
want to shoot down an airliner?” Doug asked before he could consider his own
question. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Why indeed,” the
man said, leaning his head back and smiling as if at an inside joke. The plane
slowed further, apparently approaching the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Exiting the plane, Doug could see there were no
threats of thunderstorms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking
to the east, the sky was a brilliant blue, cloudless, perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Denver
International’s best days were clearly in the past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The passenger areas were dim at best, again with only a
fraction of the lights turned on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like Des Moines, all the windows to the outside had been covered, and
the black-clad ‘security’ people were evenly spaced throughout the entire
terminal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main concourse had
been heavily modified since Doug was there last…only ten days before. Black
plywood walls had been thrown up, cattle-chute style, greatly limiting the flow
of passengers through the large, once-grand space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More armed security peered down at the chute from elevated
platforms as the arrivals made their way to the exit doors. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Instead of the
limousine or upfitted Cadillac that Doug expected for Federal arrivals, a
single bus sat at the curb, with five armed men watching the empty ramps and
the distant horizon. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Federal Zone,
sir?” the driver asked, standing at the front of the bus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. Regent
Plaza,” Doug said casually. The driver raised his eyebrows, just enough for
Doug to notice, and then hid his apparent surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“</span>Right away<span style="font-style: normal;">, sir,” he said to Doug, who’d been near the front of
the queue for the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sat in
the row behind the driver. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Within a few
minutes, the rest of the arriving passengers had boarded, and the bus eased
away from the curb.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug noticed
that the glass appeared distorted…just as it had on his armored company
SUV.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Excuse me,
driver? Is this bus armored?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug
asked quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, sir. After
last week, well, we had to take steps,” the driver replied. Doug noticed at
that moment the two Army Humvees pulling out to escort the bus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m sorry. Last
week? I’ve been, well, incommunicado.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sir, I’m really
not supposed to discuss it. I’m sure you understand,” the driver replied,
looking at Doug for a moment in the rear view mirror.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure. No
problem,” Doug said, leaning back in his seat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Within another mile, he could see the obvious burn marks on
an overpass and on the pavement, where vehicles had probably been
attacked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A large rental car
complex north of Pena Boulevard was a burned-out wreck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had been intact ten days
before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug noticed smoke rising
from several points in the suburbs on the clear, windless day. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Arriving at the
Zone forty-five minutes later, the passengers were asked to disembark and
proceed through screening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
too was new to Doug, and all of his bags were searched again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">No civilian-type
vehicles were present in the Zone—and anyone entering had to get to their
destinations on foot, Doug was an exception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As soon as he presented his ID and stated his destination,
he was escorted to an electric shuttle, and immediately driven to Regent Plaza,
without a word. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Security at Regent
Plaza was by comparison, normal. Doug swiped in with his Federal I.D. card, and
a voice greeted him through the automated reader on the security panel,
directing him to his ‘new office location’ on the forty-sixth floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He rode alone in the elevator to his
new office, three floors above his former location. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He didn’t
recognize anyone on his new floor, but was escorted to his office by a very
uptight, buttoned down young man. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Peterson,
there is a morning briefing on your desktop computer, and Deputy Director
Hollander would like a word with you late this afternoon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dena, your administrative executive,
will confirm available times with the Deputy Directors’ office.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Many thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things have really changed around
here,” Doug said.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The young man
nodded, in a bow, and made his exit silently. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug’s new office
was larger, with a view to the north rather than the west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The furnishings were of a far better
quality than his former office, which weren’t anything to sneeze at. Putting
down his bags, he noticed that he had a private bath and a wet bar, fully
stocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He settled into his
desk and logged into the network to retrieve his messages and read the current
daily brief, and catch up on the past ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A moment later, a soft knock on the door interrupted him. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Peterson?
I’m Dena Sampson, your administrative executive. Is there anything you need to
settle in?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug stood as she
entered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good to meet you,
Dena. Call me Doug if you would,” he said, slipping back into the FDA persona. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Certainly,” she
replied. Doug could tell this one was all business. “The Deputy Director would
like to meet with you at four-fifteen.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I see that we have
today’s briefing, but I was hoping to be able to catch up on the past ten days.
There don’t appear to be any prior editions available. Can you pull them up and
forward them to me?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m sorry, sir,
but they’ve been purged. They’re purged daily now,” she said coolly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug hid his surprise, going all
‘corporate’. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK. I’ve been in
the wilds of Iowa for the past ten days. Tell me what the Hell has been going
on here, if you would. Starting with the upgraded security protocols from here
to yon; why I can’t get a private car to pick me up at the airport; and what
happened at DIA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s a few
million dollars in burned buildings out there.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Let me get you a
cup of coffee,” Dena said, seemingly preparing herself as well, closing the
door to the office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She poured
Doug a mug, added cream and two sugars, which is how Doug built his coffee at
the FDA, but not in ‘real life.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You know how I
take my coffee?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It is part of my
responsibilities,” she replied. “Now, about the last ten days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ve heard about the New Republic of
course?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Certainly,” Doug
said, “Pesky problem.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s worse than
pesky. Undersecretary Sather was assassinated while returning from Denver
International when a car bomb went off. That might be some of the damage you
saw.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Director Davis, who I don’t
believe you met—he was appointed on the day you left—was left permanently
incapacitated after an incident at a country club.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Incident?” Doug
asked with raised eyebrows. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It appears that
he was attacked, with a foreign substance injected directly into his neck. He
has permanent brain damage. He will likely not survive the month.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What happened to
Director Simonson? He’d only been on the job since the first of July.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“He was asked to
resign by the President. He did so immediately, and left Denver. The last I
heard he was in Austin.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK, so that’s a
shake up in our department. That hardly seems…” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“There were other
incidents. Four members of the Presidents’ Cabinet have disappeared in the past
seven days. Off the map, off the grid, families and all. The Security Service
personnel guarding them disappeared as well. Significant amounts of blood were
found in three of the four residences, and matched family members and Security
personnel.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“There has not
been a word of this…” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Of course not. If
America knew that the New Republic was assassinating Cabinet level leaders, the
government would collapse. The President needs to keep control of the
situation.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">‘Control? Someone’s delusional,’<span style="font-style: normal;"> he thought to himself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“The briefs? Why are they purged?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I don’t know the
answer to that,” Dena replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How much do you
know about me? Do you know that I’ve already sent in my letter of resignation?”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I had heard. I
didn’t know that was confirmed until just now,” she answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“My wife is
expecting. This is our first,” Doug said. “I don’t want to miss anything,
naturally, and there have been complications.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I
understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When is your last
day?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I sent it to the
Director on September sixth, effective September thirty,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, I will do
my best for you while you’re here. Do you have any questions?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Just one. Why was
my office moved up here? And where are my things—sorry, two questions.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“There was a minor
fire on that floor. Quite a bit of smoke damage, which is being cleaned up, but
a lot of personal items were damaged due to water. No one was hurt though. They
figured an electrical circuit to a computer was overloaded.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Oh. OK.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fair enough,” Doug said, immediately
suspecting more than an electrical fire. “I’ll get caught up and let you know
if I need anything.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’ll set up a
late lunch for you if you like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The daily menu should be in your inbox.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That’d be great,
thanks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s been a long time
since breakfast.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Doug dove deeply
into the FDA correspondence right after ordering a simple lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The digital ‘paper trail’ was a
treasure trove of information on the events of the past week and a half.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While specific tasks, especially with
regards to food distribution, were high-priority, almost universally they were
falling behind on quotas due to </span>‘delivery problems’<span style="font-style: normal;"> and </span>‘increasing issues within the
distribution infrastructure’. <span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He was pleased to
see that without much exception, the resistance in the West to accept RNEW
products was holding fast, but alarmed at the projection that by the end of the
calendar year, commercial food production and distribution would be a fraction
of the previous calendar years’ product. Dena brought lunch in, as he was
studying the already-understood failures that were looming in the immediate
future. The pastrami on rye sandwich sat untouched.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">At least
ninety-five percent of the population depended on commercial farms—and they had
failed, despite Federal intervention in providing fuel, seeds, petrochemicals.
Nothing would stop it now. People in the United States of America were going to
starve, starting in the Northeast, then the Great Lakes cities, progressing
into the south and then moving west.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The impact of the New Republic would be felt almost immediately, as most
shipping to the Northeast had already been drastically curtailed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By the end of September, the dominoes
would begin to fall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Depressed, he
looked next at the department organization matrix, compared to a stored version
that he had within his own desktop folder. Doug knew that nearly ninety percent
of the department heads were ‘new’ in the past year; but more alarmingly,
almost half of those had been replaced within the past week. This had to be
more than a ‘policy change’, he thought, leaning back in his chair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Further study of
the org chart showed that eight of the ten liaisons—Doug’s level—had also been
replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug didn’t know
any of the names, either from Regent or from any prior assignments with the
FDA. None of the current occupants of the organization chart had any bios, and
he found his own had been removed. He had no idea if the people in his division
were ‘enemies’, ‘friends’ or ‘non-combatants.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The only option
therefore, was to treat all as ‘friends’…but regard them as ‘enemies.’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He finally ate his sandwich, staring
blankly at the computer screen. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Peterson?”
Dena asked via intercom. “Deputy Director Hollander is here, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Here?” Doug
asked, checking the time. It was just four-fifteen. “I’ll be right out.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Doug? Good to
meet you,” the Deputy Director said as Doug left his office. “Call me Terry.
Grab your jacket. Let’s take a walk.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure- Good to
meet you,” he said. “I’ll grab my coat.” Doug was caught completely off-guard.
Terry Hollander looked to be in his early forties, with salt-and-pepper hair
and piercing blue eyes. Doug’s immediate impression was that Hollander was too
young to be in a Deputy Director position, but these were strange days. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Miss Sampson,
I’ll have Doug back in an hour or so,” Hollander said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Very well,
Director. Thank you,” Dena replied with a smile. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Within a few
minutes, they’d left Regent Plaza and were walking south toward the classically
designed Civic Center Park, making small-talk along the way. The park, once a
showpiece of green grass and ornamental plantings, was now a bitter brown, with
a handful of patches of garden space, a Federal effort to recreate a ‘Victory
Garden’ atmosphere. The gardens were filled with weeds, untended, barely
watered, and a perfect reflection of the unfolding failures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Thanks for
meeting, Doug. I wanted to get out of the office for this conversation,” the
Deputy Director began. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Glad to oblige.
It’s a beautiful afternoon.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’ve reviewed
your letter of resignation, and it’s accepted. Your work for the Department has
been exemplary, and it’s been noticed. Years working in the industry, solid,
with one company, and then a major change to a much smaller, much more
aggressive company. Are you planning on returning to Regent?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No, I don’t think
so, sir,” Doug replied. “My wife is expecting, and I’d like a change of pace to
a quieter life.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I understand. I’m
originally from a quiet corner of Ohio. Probably no going back now though,”
Hollander said, sitting on a bench facing the City-County building, with the
Capital building behind them. “You’ve read the projections for the coming
year?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s coming
apart. There isn’t any denying it, although the President is doing his best at
just that. It’s all sweetness and glory and the best days are still ahead, and
it’s all bullshit. I’m giving everyone the option to leave Federal service at
their request; I’m sure you’ve seen the extraordinary numbers of new appointees
in the past ten days?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug was surprised
at the frank conversation. “Of course. I thought it might be house cleaning…new
Director and all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s being
marketed that way, and there is no shortage of eager ladder-climbers to take
the place of those that have elected to leave the FDA, regardless of the dim
future,” Hollander said, stretching his legs out in front of him, looking as
relaxed as he could possibly be. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Where did you
come from—prior to the FDA?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Oh, let’s not go
there. Let’s just say that I’ve been in governmental service for quite awhile,”
Hollander replied. “Doug, what’s your plan for the next year? Are you ready?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug was stunned.
No one in Federal service, in Doug’s experience at least, had ever said aloud
anything except optimism and the mantra that restoration of ‘before’ was the
only possible outcome. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I, uh, I’ve made
plans. Given what I’ve experienced already, it seemed prudent,” Doug answered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good for you.
Count yourself in a very small minority.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Terry, given what
you know, why are you still here?” Doug asked frankly. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mrs. Hollander
works for the First Lady. My wife is a ladder-climber extraordinaire. Three
administrations so far, moving up the social strata on the remains of anyone
who gets in her way. So, in this particular role, in the past ten days, I’ve
taken it upon myself to undertake some damage control in the hopes that
competent people who are not complete political ass-hats make a smart choice
and get the Hell out of the way of the coming hurricane,” Terry Hollander said,
still leaning back on the bench, arms stretched out along the back, legs
crossed at the ankle. “Question remains, are you one of them?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah, I’m one of
them.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Then you should
make haste, Doug. Do you have a way to get out of Denver?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I have some
resources,” he replied, counting on his Regent income and savings. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Steer clear of
the big cities, be where you need to be by the end of the month. How long do
you need to wrap up your position?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Couple days,”
Doug replied, realizing that he’d just been given his walking papers. “Do you
have a replacement?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Oh yeah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nephew of some White House staffer.
Worked for the same company you did. Leinhardt? Is that right? Karl Shearson.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah, that’s my
old outfit. They went down for the final count I heard in July. Never heard of
this Shearson.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Not surprised. He
was in shipping, from what I gather from his resume.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“He’ll then have
absolutely no idea what he’s doing,” Doug said, with a warning tone. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Correct. Which is
why Dena Sampson will be doing most of the actual work. Her husband is on the
staff of the White House chief of counsel. She’s trapped as well.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What happens when
it comes apart? What happens to people like you and Dena?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“The handful of us
that can, will get out somehow.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How exactly? No
gas. No cars. Picture it,” Doug said, leaning forward, resting his elbows on
his knees, looking at the dried out grass and withered trees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I know. Might be
afoot. Might be on a helicopter. We’ll make it or we won’t. Point is, you have
options that others do not. Exercise them while they’re still available to
you,” Hollander said with a wry smile. “Hopefully you’ll be around on the other
side of this shitpile.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-26505469787225002802013-08-15T22:51:00.001-07:002013-08-15T22:51:11.058-07:00Where ya been, Tom?Busy summer, to put it mildly. Running the company (six employees), balancing project commitments within hundreds of miles of home base plus a few off-shore obligations, spending some time with the kids as they're home from college, working on the garden, working on some construction work here at the house, church obligations...and a slew of medical appointments (nothing wrong at all--everything checked out this year is considered preventative maintenance done while we still have something that resembles first-world care). None of the aforementioned translates to more than about ten minutes of free time per day.<br />
<br />
It's winding down a bit, writing will be more frequent starting in another couple of weeks as daughter returns to school, projects wind down for the fall, and some of the insanity of my schedule wraps up.<br />
<br />
In my infrequent spare time (mostly while camping in western Montana, sitting in airport concourses, waiting in doctors' offices, but also occasionally during the wee hours after frequent thunderstorms), I've been reading through a couple of older books, including The Fourth Turning (which had been on my list for many years, as it was published in the mid 1990's). I'd advise you to pick up a copy and read the online information that you can find on the subject matter. The book, although older, has played out pretty much as the authors predicted, and in terms of 'preps', figure that you have less than two to ten years to a major war (meaning total, global war). I figure that we're on the lower end of that number. Figure, 2015.<br />
<br />
Reading the generational archetypes (big words! yikes!) in that book, it was a little disturbing to see me described so well, as well as those on neighboring generational journeys. It'll help me in the future, work with my clients and folks around me, but there was some comfort in the mysterious ways that people 'act' and 'behave' over the generations. Now that that mystery has been stripped away, and I can see why people 'are' the way they are (within a certain framework at least),<br />
<br />
A friend passed on some interesting links to Paul Craig Roberts' site today, including numerous illustrations of our current leadership (.gov, .mil, NGO's) gently guiding us into a confrontational stance with China. You won't find this in the standard media. You might find in in media sourced from the U.K., and while I used to regards PCR as a bit extreme, he's been spot on in his observations, despite my skepticism.<br />
<br />
Read him. Prepare accordingly.<br />
<br />
------<br />
<br />
Years ago, when I had wrapped up 'Deep Winter' and was in the midst of 'Shatter', numerous events within the storylines played out in the real world. Over the years, it seems to readers more than myself sometimes, that this pattern continues--I don't really keep track. Events in 'Remnant' however, did in fact play out in the real world before I uploaded very similar events in the book, causing a major re-direct, changing the last half of that book. 'Distance' might see events happen in the real world not reflected in DW/SH/REM that I'll have to work around, we'll just have to see.<br />
<br />
Seven more chapters to go in Distance, where we will see a little clearer from a higher vantage point, looking across a very difficult future.<br />
<br />
TCSTom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-91608445244646758182013-06-16T21:23:00.002-07:002013-06-16T21:23:42.724-07:00Distance, Chapter 52<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">52<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday afternoon, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Ninth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2:40 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hospital time, it
is well known, is some of the slowest time that can pass. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arriving at the
hospital at half-past twelve, Molly was received and immediately assigned to an
isolation unit. Most hospitals had
created some sort of physical separation between ‘routine’ emergencies and
respiratory patients—Mount Pleasant had done this as well, with a complete
separation between the conventional emergency room and respiratory emergencies
treated within a separate building.
Doctor Jameson had met them within minutes of their arrival, and Doug
found it odd that preferential treatment seemed to be given to the Seghers so
easily. Doug waited until he and Julie could be alone to discuss it. Peter, Arie and Maria spoke with the
doctor and his staff in a private room off of the waiting area, and Julie and
Doug gave them some privacy. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jules, there’s
one thing that bothered me here,” Doug said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How is it that
Molly is getting this….well, extraordinary treatment?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not sure,”
Julie replied. “I didn’t really think about it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s just
that…there were several people that appeared to be waiting, and Molly was
ushered right in,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Now that you
mention it, there were other people,” Julie said. They had by now though, been
taken through the glassed vestibule into the treatment area, Doug noted. A few new patients had taken their
places in the waiting area. He’d
activated the tracking program on the PDA, while they killed time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By two o’clock,
Doug was famished, and he knew that Julie’s ever-present pregnancy snacks
wouldn’t hold out for long. With Peter, Arie and Maria now meeting with another
doctor, Doug headed over to the main building to find a cafeteria. Within a few minutes, he found
the long-closed cafeteria, but one of the staff gave him a photocopied menu for
a local restaurant that was still in business and able to provide take out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Any luck?” Julie
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. But I’m happy
to take orders,” Doug replied, handing her the menu. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Take out? I
haven’t had restaurant food in months,” Julie said, diving into the menu. A few
minutes later, she’d marked several items, all of Asian theme. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug took orders
from the Seghers as well, and drove the few blocks to the restaurant, noticing
a sign for a National Guard center not far away. He took a little detour to get closer, in case the program
in the Palm picked up anything, and then realized he could go inside to check
email from Denver…that would have to wait until later of course. Doug found the
restaurant and parked on the side, a little surprised to see a horse hitching
post and a watering trough in a parking space. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eddies had adapted
from pre-War operations to the new reality of a collapsed economy, little in
the way of recognizable money with actual value, and customers who could
actually afford to pay. There were
ten or twelve people in the half-lit restaurant, most appearing to have a thin
soup and a sketchy-looking sourdough. All of them quietly sized up Doug as he
entered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had been
given the heads up by Roeland that no one possessed a volume of the old Federal
Reserve Notes that would actually buy anything in most any business—he’d have
to either use trade goods, silver, or in the case of something very expensive,
a gold coin. His own Regent
salary, adjusted for the collapse and with his most recent raise, had changed from
over two hundred and eighty thousand dollars a year in FRN’s to just under
fourteen thousand dollars a year, payable in gold or silver coin or Regent’s
internal Silver Trust Account…which was effectively paper that could in theory
be exchanged for physical metal. In theory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ready to order?”
a middle-aged waitress asked. Her faded nametag read ‘Meg’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, thanks. This is to go, order for some folks at
the hospital,” Doug said, handing the waitress the order. She scanned it
quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You got money for
all this?” she asked quietly, eyebrows raised a little. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, yeah. What’s
the total?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Three dollars,
silver,” Meg replied quietly, after adding it up quickly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah,” Doug said,
fishing out several silver dollars. “Here,” he said, handing them over. She
looked at them and weighed them in her hand, assessing that they were real. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Anything else?”
the waitress asked, hoping it appeared, for Doug to spend more money. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not right now,
thanks. How long?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, ten, fifteen
minutes or so. You can wait at the counter if you like. Coffee? It’s real. Two
bits for sixteen ounces,” Meg asked expectantly, with a raised eyebrow. “Cream
included.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK—set me up,”
Doug replied, sliding her a silver quarter dollar as he took out the PDA, made
some notes, and reviewed his travel list for the trip back to Denver. Meg smiled a little as she slid him a
travel cup of coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good to her word,
Doug’s take out meals were bagged up in two grocery sacks, within fifteen
minutes of his order. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks, Meg,”
Doug said. “One more thing before I go,” he said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure. Whatcha
need?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“After I leave,
buy everyone in here a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake. This’ll cover it,”
Doug said, sliding over a short stack of silver dollars. “OK?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Absolutely. You
some kind of rich guy or what?” Meg asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. I’ve been
lucky is all. Don’t tell them whom it’s from, OK? And this one’s for you,” Doug
said, sliding another silver dollar to her on the worn linoleum counter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You got it, hon,”
Meg said softly patting Doug’s hand. “Thanks.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie and the
Seghers were seated in a smaller waiting room off of the main entry. Doug
arrived to find them in mid prayer, and waited until they’d finished before
entering. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How’s she doing?”
he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She’s got the
flu. The next mutation,” Peter said. “They’ve got her on IV’s and they’re doing
what they can.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did she have it
in the winter?” Doug asked as he opened up the sacks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, mild case.
That’s in her favor,” Peter said, passing the boxed meals around. “Still, she
was down for almost a week.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bong Bong chicken,
fried rice, vegetables and sweet and sour sauce,” Doug said, handing Julie her
container. “And green tea,” he said, before handing Peter and Arie their bacon
cheeseburgers and fries, milkshakes, and finally getting Maria’s sweet and sour
pork, noodles, and tea. “That
place has quite the menu.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What did you
order?” Julie asked, between bites. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Almond chicken,”
Doug replied. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had anything like this.” He
didn’t mention spending some of his money to buy a few hamburgers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This had to be
spendy,” Julie said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Worth it,” Doug
said, taking his first bite of fried rice. ‘Worth every bit,’ he thought.
“After I finish, I’d like to go over to the Army Guard installation—it’s over
by the restaurant. I figure I should see how my letter of resignation has been
received.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK, but don’t
dawdle,” Julie said. “We’ll need to be home and by curfew.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Curfew?” Doug
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Six p.m.,” Arie
said. “Governor’s orders, effective today. They announced it on television
while you were out. There seemed to be much the man was not saying through the
few words he spoke.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twenty-five
minutes later, Doug arrived at the Army Guard center, where a black-clad
security policeman, inside an anti-ram barrier, greeted him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sir, step out of your
car please,” another man, asked. Doug hadn’t seen him approach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure. I work for
the…” He was cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Please step out
of your car,” the man repeated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK,” Doug replied
before complying. He was directed about fifteen feet away from the vehicle with
an M-16 leveled at him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Any weapons in
the vehicle, sir?” a third man asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. There’s a
.45 in a range bag in the back, and an AR-15 in a padded case. They’re kind of
required for us in the field,” Doug said, lying. “I’m with the Food and Drug
Administration. Based in Denver.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You carrying?”
the third man asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not right now,”
Doug stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We need to search
your vehicle, sir,” the first man stated. “Richards, get his I.D. and get it
scanned.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sir, did this
have a Government designation on the doors?” the first officer asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. That
designation was not viewed favorably among several populations,” Doug said. “I
removed it in an effort to not get myself shot,” Doug replied, embellishing his
story.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Federal I.D. number,
Sir?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Three one six six
eight four seven one,” Doug replied without hesitation. That number was the
prefix to his FDA security log in on the computer network. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Last two of your
alpha?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Echo Zulu,” Doug
answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Checks out,
Connors,” ‘Richards’ replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK. Stand down
then. Mr. Peterson, your vehicle
isn’t allowed to enter the facility.
You can enter the facility through that door over there, escorted by Mr.
Davis. You’ll have about a half hour of secure communications before this facility
locks down. Understood?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yep. Just
checking in with Denver. Shouldn’t take long,” Doug said, playing along with
the ‘we’re all on one side’ vibe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug entered the
foyer, and then was directed into a windowless room with a half-dozen cubicles
with abnormally high enclosures. The door clicked shut behind him, reminding
him of the sound of a prison door in all too many television shows and movies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Logging into the
network, Doug was immediately faced with a half-dozen URGENT emails, directing
him to return to Denver ASAP. Each
email listed departure times and flight numbers from Des Moines to Denver,
dating from two days ago. He’d also miss today’s flight, departing in a little
more than an hour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was immediately
faced with the requirement from the FDA to ‘extract’ immediately in the face of ‘looming travel
restrictions on 9/11’ making return on that
date and for several following days ‘impossible’. By logging in and downloading his messages and files to his flash
drive, the Department knew that he’d received the orders. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He would now need
to tell Julie that he had to leave in the morning. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fifteen minutes
later, Doug was back in the parking lot, and was met by Julie, Arie and Peter.
Maria volunteered to spend the night at the hospital, and had brought an
overnight bag in preparation.
Peter would need to get home to little Ian; and the Farm needed
Arie. Julie and Doug’s labors
would also be needed in Maria’s absence, Arie explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve got some
news,” Doug said. “I’ve been ordered back to Denver, first thing in the
morning.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have no idea,”
Doug said, starting up the Jeep. “I’ve got quite a number of emails to review.
There’s…desperation, or panic, or something going on. I don’t understand it.
They’re saying that there will be travel restrictions by 9/11 that will
continue for quite some time. I don’t know what that’s about.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Another attack?”
Peter asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If there were
one, they know in advance and won’t stop it?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Or perhaps they
cannot stop it,” Arie answered.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Farm hadn’t
taken care of itself during the emergency…but the network of friends and
extended family responded immediately. When Doug drove his Jeep up to the
equipment shed, he noticed a half-dozen horses grazing in one of the pastures
nearby—none of them belonged to Arie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This is really
something,” Doug said as he pulled up to the door. Twenty men and women met
them, coming from the house, barn and sheds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Friends,” Arie
said. “We have many friends.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dinner for the
many Seghers and their friends was served from a row of large stewpots and a
handmade willow basket containing miniature loaves of sourdough. The crowd
stood, sat, and milled around the main floor of the home, while listening to
the report on Molly. Several of
the older women shared knowing looks as Doug looked on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">None of those
looks appeared to be optimistic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie was showing
the strain of the day, and while Doug could see that she wanted to stay up, she
was fading. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You should get
some rest, hon,” Doug told her quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I know,” she
said. “But I’d like to visit more. We never get the chance.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You need to stay
healthy. That means you eat right, you sleep when you need to, you stay
hydrated,” Doug replied, quite seriously. “Now off to bed!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Julie’s off to
bed everyone,” Doug told the assemblage. “She’d love to stay up and visit of
course.” With that, several of the
motherly influences in the room quickly rose and escorted Julie to her room,
giving her a little more time for talking. Most of the men by this time were assembled in the dining
room, looking over a map of the region.
The conversation ceased when he entered the room. Jake excused himself from the group,
and took Doug to the equipment shed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Got that PDA?”
Jake asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure,” Doug said,
fishing it out of his pocket. “You think I picked up something today?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No time like the
present to find out. Did you happen to keep track of where you were, and when?
I mean, with some specifics?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“More or less.
Give me that map,” Doug said as Jake hooked up the PDA to a laptop. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug penciled in
the route, approximate times of arrival at the hospital; the restaurant; back
to the hospital; and to the Guard center.
Jake brought up his decryption program and it immediately listed the elapsed
time since activation. “That Palm has a GPS in it doesn’t it? Isn’t this
redundant?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s not quite a
GPS. It’s more of a three-dimensional track recorder that can ping off of
commercial geographic information systems transmitters and perhaps a commercial
GPS satellite. I need to overlay the track with your known coordinates to
better understand what the device has learned. That helps locate, within
reason, a large cache of tags or groupings of tags. It could locate individual
tags of course, but those are of less value,” Jake said. “Holy crap,” he said
as the screen filled with hits.
“Where were you at ten after four this afternoon?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“National Guard
Readiness Center in Mount Pleasant. I was checking email.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You were
virtually on top of thousands of RFID tags. You were within a hundred feet of
them,” Jake said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” Doug
exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t say another
word. I want the others to hear this,” Jake said, hurrying out of the shed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The guards acted
military. They wore dark grey and black digital camo. That new stuff that
they’ve been using in the cities…the stuff with the bigger pattern. Black
Kevlar helmets. Goggles. They
looked Army to me. I didn’t question
them on the matter,” Doug said to the gathering of a dozen men, beyond the
Segher family gathered in the equipment shed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jake, what is the
breakdown of the tags? Have you analyzed it?” One of the men asked. He was
unfamiliar to Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Forty soldiers
per unit; complement including one long gun, one sidearm, one load-carrying
vest or sling-pouch, one three day pack or equivalent, six magazines per man
per long gun, two mags per handgun or the equivalent in speed loaders. There
are enough for nearly thirteen hundred units within range of Doug’s position.
Equipment for around fifty-thousand men.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fifty-thousand!”
Doug exclaimed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fifty thousand,”
Jake confirmed. “Obviously your guards weren’t Army. That facility has been
co-opted by whichever civilian contracting force was hired by the National
Guard and is being used for secure weapons storage for someone who’s building a
private army.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ll have eyes
on it from now on,” another man stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You need more
than that. The contents of that building need to never see the light of day,”
Jake said. “Or, more correctly, they need to not fall into the wrong
hands.” No one had a quick reply. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What do we know
about that building?” Jake asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ten foot fences
with razor wire on all sides. Ten inch thick concrete walls containing the
weapons storage area; hardened steel doors. Outer shell is a reinforced
concrete masonry wall. Roof structure is concrete span deck. Air handlers are
ground mounted. Glazing is ballistic grade throughout with anti-blast
provisions in all frames. Grilles in front of all windows too, similar to RPG
protection on vehicles. Oh, and motion-sensing memory cameras everywhere, most
of which you can’t see,” a balding man replied. He was sitting atop a
workbench, and looked a little bored. “Those remember what things looked like
over time. A shadow passing through their field of view triggers an alert,
assuming they’ve got the system tuned up that high. Tough nut to crack.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Power?” Jake
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Aside from mains
power, there is a very large diesel generator for primary power, and a
secondary powered by propane. Uninterruptible power supplies within the
building run security and life-safety systems for seventy-two hours, minimum.
Those backup generators are exercised monthly. Communications are hot-linked to
their regional command center, with flash traffic linked from D.C. Hardwire and
satellite.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Guess on
staffing?” someone asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not more than
six. But if you don’t take them all at once, that building gets locked down and
it’ll be a noisy proposition getting inside.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Night staffing?
Watches?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If we’re lucky,
they’re complacent and are depending on the technology to wake them up. If
we’re not, they have at least two people up and about. Recon will tell you
that. If I were a betting man,
which I am not, I’d guess they button it up and stay inside all night, rather than
send someone out in the dark.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re making too
much out of this,” a tall, thin man wearing a very worn denim jacket said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How so?” Jake
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They won’t call
D.C. if they’re attacked, because if they’re discovered, it’s game over.
They’re probably not Feds. They’ll call their handlers, whoever that might be,
who will have to come in to rescue them, or abandon them to the wolves. All you
have to do is make sure they don’t get out. And we can do that. Weld the doors
shut and let ‘em rot in there. Cut the utilities. Disconnect the generators. If
no one’s shooting at you, you’ve got plenty of time. You can even do it at
night, assuming you’ve got the local gendarmes on your side. This is not a
difficult problem to solve.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We should move on
this within the next few days, and have a contingency in case they try to move
that equipment.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doug, what else
do you have for us?” Jake asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m leaving
tomorrow morning. Ordered back to Denver. They’re saying that commercial
flights on 9/11 won’t be possible,” he said. Many of the men looked around at
each other at that comment. “I haven’t had a chance to go through all of the
correspondence yet, but what I did read,” he paused for a moment before
continuing, pondering the words on the computer screen, “it sounded like things
are coming apart at the seams.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Maybe we better step up surveillance," one of the men said. </span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">"Perhaps more than that," Arie added from the back. "Perhaps much more." </span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-38103231295903445042013-04-28T20:04:00.000-07:002013-04-29T18:22:36.020-07:00Distance, Chapter 51<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">51<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday morning<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Seventh<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">10:00 a.m. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The big, rusty
bulldozer smoothed the last of the trench cover as the last of the Weerstand
fighters left the muddy ravine.
Down on the Des Moines River, a similar sanitation operation had already
been completed, with the attackers boats hauled from the river and trucked to a
local borrow pit. By nine a.m. they had been mostly stripped of useable parts
and the hulls crushed by bulldozers and a large belly-dump earthmover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One hundred seven
attackers were killed in the fighting, ten were taken as wounded. Thirty
Weerstand had fanned out to search for stragglers, none had yet been
found. Five Weerstand had been hurt
during the night, none due to enemy fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug and Arie had
arrived on scene after Doug’s shift ended. Roeland was in the northern part of
the county all night, far away from the fighting. No law enforcement officers were present at the site,
nor any military. The bodies had been gathered, weapons and ammunition removed,
and radios taken. With utmost
efficiency, the raiding teams had been laid in common graves cut by the blades
of bulldozers, and immediately covered under several feet of wet Iowa earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">None had
identification of any kind, nor did they carry money, wallets, watches or any
coins. Half or so carried a small green waist-belt filled with ‘energy
bars’. The drink holster had some
kind of sports drink. The
packs had been loaded in the back of an old Chevy one-ton utility service
truck, where Doug spotted them before the metal doors were closed. A similarly
beat up Dodge panel van held a pile of mismatched rifles and semi-automatic
handguns, on the floor of a cage within the van. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“These are
Regent,” Doug told Arie, looking at the containers and packaging. “These are RNEW. I’m certain of it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Charlie! A moment
please,” Arie called to a forty-something man, clad in farmer overalls and a
well-worn farm coat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Adriaan. What can I do for you?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Tell Douglas here
about these men,” Arie said, waving to the gravesite. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The large man
considered the request for a moment thoughtfully before replying. “Single
minded. Relentless, but they seemed not to have a skillful leader. I believe
that one of the men captured was part of the leader group,” Charlie replied. He
seemed the kind of man that would be most at home at a feed store. He carried a beautiful lever-action
Winchester. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What happened
when the shooting started? How did it start?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One of our young
ones made a noise from that hillside. They heard it. It seemed like every gun
they had fired at the noise. No random fire, no discussion, no order. It was
directed right at that spot. Look
at the tree there,” Charlie pointed.
The sixteen-inch diameter tree had been felled by rifle fire, and many
of the trees around it had been torn apart. “That tree landed next to the young
man who made the noise. Had it not
been for the earth berm, he’d have been cut to pieces.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Singular focus,”
Doug said to himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When most of them
had ceased firing, two or three of them tried to move them forward. We then
fired on them from the west side of the ravine before they could reload. They
then began to fire on us, and the east side caught them in the back. They never
panicked or ran. They stayed their
ground and fired until we killed them,” Charlie explained. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The wounded? What
of them?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Most were wounded
several times. Some had spinal injuries.
Some were shot in their gun hand. Even so, they all were trying to fight
up until the point where they were disarmed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did they do as
they were told once you disarmed them?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Charlie seemed
surprised by the question. “Well, yes. They gave up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They received new
orders. From you.” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Douglas,
we need to leave now,” Arie said, looking to the east. A helicopter was moving
toward them, several miles away still, but close enough to warrant caution. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“These drugs in
food. You are sure of this?” Arie said to Doug as they drove further west, away
from both the Farm and the ambush site. Arie noted that the helicopter
continued to fly west, apparently up the Des Moines River. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This is more
extreme than what I witnessed personally, but from what I read of the research,
this is in keeping with the effects of the RNEW when fully activated,” Doug
said. “Do you think that’s their helicopter?” he asked, looking through the
rear window at the disappearing tree line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It would make
sense if they are as organized as we suspect. We do not know if the plans for
last night were provided to them, or if they were generated by those that
attacked. We have to assume that they are looking for their missing friends,”
Arie said, point toward the distant dot that was the helicopter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What happens
next? What if another bunch comes?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Eyes are watching
for many miles. If they come, they will be met again.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where did they
come from? Do you know?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The boats were
launched on the Missouri side, downriver at the Fort Pike boat launch. They then came upstream past the Battle
of Athens historic site, where they were first heard, although we couldn’t get
a good idea on how many were coming.
Then past Farmington and Bonaparte, where one of our people with night
vision told us more. They came up Coppers Creek and beached there. Then they
came overland up the drainage. Before the launch point, we do not know.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug continued.
“So they know—if they’re looking for them—that these raiders launched from that
point…Fort Pike? The trucks and trailers are probably there, so they’d look up
river.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The trucks and
trailers are gone. They were gone before dawn,” Arie said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK,” Doug said,
thinking about a logical next step. “So they either come and investigate or
they move along.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. We hope for
the latter but plan for the former,” Arie said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They drove on,
heading to the northwest, stopping at a small cemetery. Arie didn’t speak, but
exited the old farm truck quietly, heading into an obviously much older part of
the graveyard. Doug quietly
followed from a respectful distance. Arie came to stop before a large, simple marker,
stained with lichen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My grandparents,”
Arie said quietly. “They died this
day, seventy-five years ago. They had gone to Keokuk, to market. A madman drove
his truck into their car at sixty miles per hour.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m very sorry.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nothing to be
sorry for, Douglas. There is
madness in the world, there is evil. That same man had that same day run over a
ten year old on a bicycle, and before he could be tried, he hung himself in a
jail cell,” Arie said, sweeping a few leaves away from the base of the stone.
“What you have told us is that the company you work for has created evil that
can be summoned with mere words.
That men can be corrupted by eating of this food and of this drink.
Douglas, what I heard this morning forces me to say this: You must leave this
company, or you must leave our farm. I cannot abide this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve already
written my letter of resignation.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Free yourself of
this evil. You must do it soon, Douglas. It will consume all those who are near
it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I understand.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">2:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arie and Doug told
all at the farm about the attack and outcome, and then Arie had taken a packet
of papers taken from the attackers, along with some captured radios, and taken
them to Jake. Doug didn’t remember
anything carried by Arie to the truck; the items must’ve been stashed there by
one of the Weerstand while they were out of the truck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was exhausted
after his shift and the mornings’ activities. After the mid-day meal, he
showered (with Julie, to save water of course) and changed into sleeping
clothes. Julie was ready for her
mid-day nap, and Doug was asleep within a few minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His dreams were
not pleasant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday morning, <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Ninth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">7:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug worked
alongside several of the Segher cousins on the morning chores, happy to be
relieved from patrol duty. A
second night of cold rain made the experience miserable, with boots that hadn’t
dried, sketchy rain gear, and a cold, constant wind. He’d been unpleasantly
surprised by Kurt Segher early the previous morning, who stealthily overtook
Doug’s observation position unnoticed. Doug’s radio had failed, and he hadn’t
noticed it—it appeared to be transmitting, had a full battery pack, but something
had failed in the circuitry. The
base station operator, a Segher cousin by the name of Susan, had followed
protocol and tried to contact Doug with a
code-word response with no luck. When the other
observation posts in the area also failed to reach Doug, prescribed plans were put
into motion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kurt was the first
to arrive, silently arriving in Doug’s observation post as Doug looked out
toward a blackened tree line. He’d nearly had a heart attack as Kurt poked him
in the back with a bayonet, fixed on his rifle. Kurt also had the advantage of third-generation night
vision, one of four such setups within the Weerstand. Doug didn’t really stand
a chance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Kurt provided Doug
a new radio, and disappeared back into the dark rain. Doug had three more hours
of watching and listening to the wind and rain, with regular radio checks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In his time on the
Farm, Doug had learned more about small farm egg and dairy production than he’d
learned in twenty years in commercial food production, and a fair amount about
small-scale, home based food preservation as well. When he wasn’t spending precious time with Julie or on
patrol, he read from the many resources in print at the Farm. Some were County
Extension agent publications; some were commercial. Some, like a well-worn,
stained book by Carla Emery, had obviously been loved to death. Doug made a note to try to find a
copy. All the while, he was
counting down the days he had left here, before returning back to Denver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Back to a
farmhand, huh Doug?” Jake Segher asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kind of suits me.
Peaceful. No one sticking a bayonet in your ribs,” Doug said as Kurt laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Got a minute? I
could use a hand over in the shed,” Jake said. Kurt went off to another
outbuilding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure. I’m sure
this manure will wait,” Doug replied, putting down the mucking shovel. “What’s
up?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Something to show
you. You might be thinking about it when you go back to Regent,” Jake said with
narrowing eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK,” Doug said,
not knowing quite what to make of the comment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Inside the
equipment shed, the cage had been dramatically expanded with the additions of
chain-link panels with copper wire woven through the sections and
grounded. Six large tables were
placed inside the cage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This is the gear
taken from the raiders,” Doug said. “Why’s it in here?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Because every
stick of it was chipped. Every rifle, every magazine. Every vest, belt, holster
and bandolier. Every meal pack. Every piece of this is traceable.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug noted that
none of the gear matched—there were well-worn, filthy equipment packs and
brand-new kits and rifles scattered on the table. Someone had at least grouped
the equipment by type, with AR types on one table, AK’s on another, bolt
actions on two more, handguns of many styles in a pile next to mismatched magazines,
bandoliers, vests, and a five-gallon bucket of loose rounds. A pile of knives,
bayonets and machetes lay on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How…” Doug
started before being cut off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Someone took a
long, long time to do this. Didn’t
happen overnight,” Jake said. “More interestingly are the chips themselves.
RFID of course. Eastern European design, manufactured in China; two, maybe
three years ago. The coding is interesting, too. The equipment here represents
three distinct operational units. The database I’ve compiled inventoried all of
it. There’s a numeric order here, where each unit is generally comprised of
similar numbers of men, similar mixes of bolt-action and semi-auto, similar
varieties of weapons with non-matching ammunition.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So each unit…is a
mish-mash of men, weapons, calibers…” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Three units,
generally the same personnel count, generally equipped with the same variety of
gear. This had to be deliberate.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why would they do
this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So they could
shoot with whatever they can find,” Jake said. “They’ve chipped it I’d guess
for inventory, but also for tracking. None of this has active transmitter
ability—all is passive but has a fair responsive range, up to a hundred meters
with an off-the-shelf reader. Which is where you come in.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, OK, how
exactly?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The chips in
these do not record signals that ping them—meaning that they can be scanned by
anyone, anywhere, and there’s no record of it. Newer chips can tell an
administrator who has scanned the chip, when, where, and how many times. I’ve got a reader that I want you to
take with you. It will only scan this type of chip; record what it’s scanned
and where; and do it to a five hundred meter radius, very quickly and quietly.
Frequently enough to get a good reading, not frequently enough to draw
attention.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Attention?” Doug
asked, surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Anyone that’s
paying attention should have countermeasures in place to detect frequencies
that are pinging their equipment. This should register as nothing more than
rogue signals or reflected transmissions. It does not operate in a predictable
pattern in either timing or signal strength,” Jake said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And you don’t
think they’re watching?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t know.
This is not without risk,” Jake said, looking Doug directly in the eye. “You’re
heading back to Des Moines, then to Denver come Monday. You then work there
until your resignation, when you return. You may then head to points unknown.
The data you collect could prove very interesting.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What exactly is
this scanner? This reader?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When we had
reliable cell phones, we’d use that. A smart phone with a little quiet
upgrading, a little GPS tracking and data recorder. Now that most of the cell
system is dead, along with most satellites, most smart phones are paperweights.
So are tablets. But not the old-fashioned PDA,” Jake said, sliding an old Palm
Tungsten T5 out of his pocket and handed it to Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Wow. I haven’t
seen one of those in years,” Doug replied, flipping open the worn aluminum hard
case and looking at the T5 like an old friend. “I had a T3. Loved that thing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s an
application on here, buried underneath a chess game. You beat the chess game on
the first level, lose the second at ‘check’, win the third, and the program
activates and runs for twenty-four hours and includes location tracking and a
motion sensor. It’ll shut down if the unit is stationary for more than an hour.
The second time you play, you forfeit immediately and the program activates.
There is plenty of internal storage that’s dedicated to the tracking program,
outside of any other file storage you might want to include,” Jake said. “You
in?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How do I transmit
the information?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You don’t.
There’s no way to do it outside of a hard dock and a sync with a trusted
computer carrying the unlock algorithm,” Jake said, pointing toward an old
computer on the workbench. “This is old school.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You said motion
tracking—but the GPS network is dead,” Doug said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Commercial
telecom systems aren’t all dead. This will ping signals off of whatever and
record the location information by time. You’ll need to record when you
activate it—put it on the ‘notes’ app—‘Arrived in Des Moines Oh-Nine-Thirty’.
That’ll let us synchronize in general terms, which is good enough. Nowhere near
as accurate as a GPS, but easily enough information to provide a more global
view,” Jake said. “So…you in?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug thought for
only a moment before replying. “Yeah. I’m in.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:00 a.m. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Lunch preparations
were well underway when Julie’s brother Peter burst into the Kitchen. Doug had been slicing potatoes and
nicked himself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s Molly. I think she has the flu,” Peter said.
The room, a moment before bustling, went dead quiet. Maria switched off the
burners on the stove and quickly took off her apron. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fever?” Maria
asked, gathering up some things into a bag. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. One oh two.
It’s been climbing since eight,” Peter said as Arie entered the room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We should see
Doctor Jameson at once,” Arie said. Doug didn’t even know Arie was in the
house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where is his
office?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie checked the
calendar. “He’s in Mount Pleasant today,” she replied. Doug didn’t know there was such a
schedule posted on the calendar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Peter, is she
here?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“She’s in the
Suburban. Beth is watching Ian,” Peter said. Baby Ian was not quite eight months
old. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Maria, you go
with Peter and Molly. We’ll follow.
Douglas, would you care to drive?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You bet,” he said
as Julie handed him his jacket.
The rain was picking up again. “I’ll let Jake know.” Julie looked very
worried, as did Maria. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug retrieved the
Jeep from the equipment shed, and filled Jake in on Molly’s condition. He
quickly informed the rest of the family via radio, and word then spread
throughout the network. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arie helped Julie
into the front seat of the Jeep, before sitting behind her on the passenger
side. They quickly made their way
through the barriers at the Farm inner driveway, and then headed west to Mount
Pleasant, a little more than fifteen miles away. Doug turned on the AM radio as
they followed Peter’s Suburban.
The host seemed bitter, complaining about the President’s inability to
gather enough momentum to deal with any one crisis effectively, causing all of
the immediate problems to be much worse.
The bombardment of multiple crises was just beyond Lambert’s ability. Arie reached over and shut off the
radio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The rest of the
trip was made in silence. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-69186084382046971792013-03-10T20:36:00.000-07:002013-03-13T08:05:46.697-07:00Distance, Chapter 50<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">50<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Sixth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">8:00 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie’s
appointment with the family OB/GYN provided Doug an opportunity to check in
with the FDA office via email from Fairfield, and hopefully get a better
perspective of the world outside of the Farm. Doug would’ve preferred to stay
for the appointment, but was shooed out of the office for an hour, with both of
the ladies smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The National Guard
center had three civilian guards in full body armor, watching over the mostly
empty facility. Doug checked in
with his Federal I.D., signed in on a digital pad and then had to use a
thumbprint pad to gain access to one of the secure computer terminals. He
wasn’t prepared for the onslaught of email, voice message and conflicting
messages. He checked the emails in order, oldest-first, skipping over the
departmental briefings, security memos and news summaries. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first surprise
was the replacement of Lorraine Bancroft with three new executive
assistants. Each had prepared what
appeared to be a personal greeting; each greeting appeared to be jockeying for
position or preference, as if the FDA were now a multi-level marketing scheme
and each ‘Doug-level’ liaison was worth a certain number of points. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The next shock was
a completely new itinerary and ‘encouragement’ to proceed with best time to the
first location on the new itinerary, which was in the next email, abandoned in
favor of a completely different strategy.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The newer emails
limited the travel, and then revoked it completely. The most recent emails
directed Doug to return to Denver on September eleventh for meetings on the
twelfth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug skimmed the
emails again quickly, seeing the pattern of confusion but sensing more. Unlike his previous visit, the
briefings, memos and news summaries were fully downloadable…which Doug thought
was probably a breach in FDA security protocol. Doug weighed the risks, while
fishing out a flash drive. He downloaded all of them for later reading. As he completed the
download, one of the assistants ‘pinged’ him for a video call. He authorized
the call, and was greeted by an overly groomed late twenty something male. None
of the names provided in the prior emails looked ‘male’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning,
Mister Peterson. Sorry to disturb you are on vacation. I’m Britt Redmon, first
assistant to the Secretary.” ‘First assistant my ass,’ Doug thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning.
Just getting caught up on emails. Looks like things have been busy,” Doug said,
not asking about Lorraine. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They have, yes.
You’ve by now seen your new itinerary, correct?” Redmon asked. Doug instantly
disliked the man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There is a
substantial reorganization coming to the Department, and to several other
departments. The Assistant
Secretary and Under Secretary wanted to include you in the conversation, hence
the meeting next week.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK, fair enough.
What about the production issues here in the Midwest? Are those issues
magically resolved?” Doug said with some irritation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, no. Those are
just lower priorities at this time.
Given the fluidity of the security in that region, the Department does
not believe that your prior assignment is worth the risk.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘No shit, Sherlock,’ Doug
thought to himself, but forced himself to sit back in his chair as if surprised
at the revelation. “Sorry. I didn’t really believe the news. I should be able to get out of Des
Moines on Monday for a Tuesday meeting.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Would you be in a
position to receive any additional information from the Under Secretary prior
to your return?” Redmon asked, looking at the camera over the tops of his
overly thin glasses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No,” Doug replied
flatly. “This is my last trip into
town before I come back on Monday.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Unfortunate,”
Redmon replied with raised eyebrows.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Such are current
communications. I look forward to meeting you next week, Britt,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That will have to
wait. I will be in another location. Good day,” the ‘first assistant’ said
before ending the videoconference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had about ten
more minutes before he had to leave to pick up Julie. In that time, he wrote his letter of resignation, effective
September thirtieth, and sent it directly to the Secretary, bypassing the
assistants, the Assistant Secretary and Under Secretary. He cited the need to be close to Julie during
the later months of her pregnancy, and wished the Department well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How’d everything
go?” Doug asked as Julie and Cath climbed in the Jeep. He turned the radio
down, after listening to the forecast…rain by evening. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Couldn’t be
better!” Julie said with a big smile as she kissed Doug. “Everything’s just
fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And what did you
do for entertainment?” Cath asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I read a bunch of
emails, departmental news and then resigned from the FDA.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“WOW! Effective
now? Say yes,” Julie said
definitively. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t think
I’ve ever seen anyone so excited to be married to someone unemployed,” Doug
said. “September thirtieth.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not soon enough,”
Cath said. “And of Regent? When for them?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Soon as I can,”
Doug said as he started the Jeep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Remember to stop
at Stefana’s before we leave town,” Julie said. Stefana was a friend of the family who had a retail
maternity shop before the collapse. The shop now ran on trades of all
kinds. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not a problem,”
Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few minutes
later they arrived at the small storefront, sandwiched between closed
franchised coffee and sandwich shops. Stefana Groesbeck’s family had leased the
land to the national franchises and had built the three shops turnkey in
exchange for a sizeable signing bonus and favorable terms over the lease. With the closure of the franchise
outlets, the property and penalties were paid to the family, more than covering
the development cost. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You stay put and
we’ll be right back!” Julie said to Doug, now feeling like a chauffeur. He noted that Cath took a file box into
the store, which Doug figured was a front for a cell of the Weerstand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had not been
invited to attend the meetings, held on three consecutive nights off the farm.
He didn’t take offense at all—as he’d finally been cleared for night
patrol. In the distance, two nights
before, Doug had been in a watchman’s location, a half-mile from the
house. The still night was
interrupted by rifle and semi-automatic weapons fire…and not a single word was
heard on any of the radio frequencies about it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It had been
impossible to tell the range of the brief firefight; Doug wasn’t that
experienced in such matters, and the fickle wind could’ve carried the sound for
a very long way. With no reports
coming in from any of the farms, men from the Weerstand had to be hunting
raiding parties. The
following morning, Arie took one of the small pickups from the farm, alone, and
returned two hours later. Doug noticed that the bed of the pickup held a
covered bundle of something that was missing when Arie returned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The town was
‘quiet’ of course, with only a handful of shops of any kind open for trading,
and Doug noted that each of them had someone nearby with a shotgun or rifle in
plain sight. On top of the
hardware store, two men with rifles were positioned, and he noted that at least
one other person had a large spotting scope atop the roof. Most of the traffic in town was
composed of bicycles with cargo trailers, although a few people rode in on
horseback. He turned up the radio
to kill some time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“…no idea what they’ve done. The shortages are
everywhere, another unintended consequence of unending incremental regulation.
Of course prices have been through the roof for years now, but as soon as stock
becomes available, any ammunition not already in a pipeline to the Army or
Homeland Security is snapped up in a frenzy that sharks would be proud of. It
seems the only state left that has half a brain is Texas, now the home to
ninety percent of firearms manufacturers in the country, and sixty percent of
the ammunition manufacturers.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘You’ve visited
the clue store,’ Doug thought of the talk show host.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“I don’t really see that changing any time soon,
either, America. There are things going on in the East that demand our
immediate action and the President is giving it lip service. We’ve got thugs running around in packs
and attacking entire towns from the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes! Little
towns! Farms! Where’s the Federal response? Where the Hell is Homeland? It’s on
you, my friends, because they’re covering their own asses. The Feds are sending
‘advisory teams’ to the states. Right. Like we need more people playing
dictator and demanding our allegiance!
It’s on you to defend yourself and your family…but thanks to the actions
of this creeping regulatory parasite we know as the Federal Government, a whole
lot of you will be defending yourself with bird guns and revolvers and no more
than a hundred rounds of ammunition of all kinds per address. You’re in
violation of that? Federal implications. You defend yourself and are investigated
by even your local cop? He is mandated to report any and all findings of
firearms, ammunition, reloading equipment of any kind. Unregistered
thirty-round mag in fifteen states? Jail time and forfeiture of assets,
citizen. If Officer Friendly
doesn’t report you? Well, thanks to the latest National Defense Authorization
Act, his jurisdiction can lose all Federal funding and HE can be investigated!”
</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This guy’s on a
roll,” Doug said aloud, wondering whom the host was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“This is where we are, America. This is what we’ve come to. Too late to fix it within the framework
of legislation, because the legislators threw you under the bus. Re-read the first sentence of the
Declaration of Independence my friends, and keep going from there. Then ask
yourself honestly, are you are in any better shape NOW, than the Founders were
as they contemplated revolution. Are you? Hell, no you’re not. In fact, you’re
probably much worse off and you just don’t realize it.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Where’s your flash point? Where do you decide
that you want the Constitution back? Is it after the thugs steal everything
you’ve earned and built? Then you’re late—because they already have. Your retirement funds were
nationalized, remember? That 401K you worked so hard for? That investment
account? That 529 plan you worked so hard to fund so that your kids could go to
school? Remember when you could choose your own doctor, and decide for yourself
if you wanted to buy insurance—or not? BAM—nationalized so that the Ponzi could
continue. Remember when you could order ammunition and have it delivered? As
much as you could afford? Remember walking into a gun shop and being able to
walk out with a rifle? Or three? Remember those days? Remember folks who had
licenses for Collectible and Antique firearms? They used to buy weapons and
have them shipped to their houses!
That’s now a Federal prison sentence! Mark my words: They’re going to come out with some
cockamamie scam with rainbow colored money and start it all over again. If you
get in their way, they’ll run you over—they’ll find a way to outspend you, wear
you down, deny your God-given rights, deny your Federal train-wreck of a
medical insurance program…and kill you by doing so. This is how they plan to win. This is how they plan to wipe
out opposition,”</i> the host said as Julie and
Cath opened the doors to the Jeep. Cath was carrying a different box that
seemed heavier. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Whatcha got on?”
Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Some guy on
fire,” Doug replied as the commentator continued. Cath answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Rice. Danny Rice.
He’s down in Hannibal,” Cath said, listening to the continuing monologue. “It’s
too bad no one’s been listening to him. He’s been saying this for years.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“It’s coming. It’s coming as sure as the sun will
rise. There’s a real fine line between sovereign citizen and partisan. A real
fine line.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Honey, you should
be getting some sleep. You’re on watch at midnight,” Julie told Doug at
half-past four. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I know. Almost
done,” he said. “Arie’s up at six, right?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, then on
watch,” Julie said. Doug couldn’t get over how pretty she looked. “Why?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I think he should
read this. I’ll write a note for him.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If you’re not in
bed in fifteen minutes, I’ll not be
happy,” Julie said with eyebrows raised and chin lowered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll be there,”
Doug said with a little grin. She’d made him a light dinner that would be
followed by ‘breakfast’ before he went on watch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was tired, but
he plowed ahead, with just a few more pages to cover. He’d been reading more than two hundred pages of briefings
sent out to Federal administrators, succinctly covering news events, foreign
and domestic, that could have an impact on Federal operations. The distilled news briefs had been
provided for decades to those in D.C., and now were produced and coordinated in
all Federal zones in North America and in the handful of remaining overseas
bases. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The briefs
clinically described ‘bandits’ robbing numerous local, state and Federal
locations; first of food, later of other equipment; later still of people,
thought to be held for ransom. No analysis or other commentary was made—the
statements were reported for the analysis of the reader. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">President
Lambert’s coverage included meeting with families of two Medal of Honor winners
from a battle in Monterrey; his looking forward to the Supreme Court ruling on
a number of crucial issues in October; and a pending address to the full
Congress—the first since January—on September fifteenth. No mention of the Vice President or any
Cabinet members was made. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In Mexico, the
briefs described current efforts in ‘pacification’ in the most general terms,
without unit descriptions of any kind or any enlightenment of how the war was
progressing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Throughout the
review of the briefs and the FDA departmental memos, there was very
little—perhaps only a hundred words—covering the New Republic. For such a dramatic threat—even a small
group of radicals—Doug could not understand why so little coverage was
provided. The dearth of crop production
in the Midwest in a general Federal briefing covered eight hundred words, and
that particular brief was an update of a monthly projection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For threats of
secession, there was virtually no ‘news’ to report. Doug wrote Arie as much, posing the question for
Arie’s consideration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Sixth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:35 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie’s wind-up
alarm clock sounded next to Doug’s head, and he gently extricated himself from
the soundly sleeping mother-to-be, curled into him after some brief, intense
lovemaking. Doug hadn’t ever
dreamed that sex with a pregnant Julie could be so…incredible. To the contrary,
he’d expected to be ‘cut off’. To their mutual delight, he was quite wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">‘Breakfast’
included hot tea, hard boiled eggs, smoked ham and biscuits, retrieved from a
sealed container that Maria had set aside for the night watch. The tea was quite strong, brewed
automatically on a timer, and he poured the thermos full, saving a cup for the
meal. Doug ate quickly and suited
up in black, cloth-type raingear before heading out to the equipment shed for a
pre-patrol briefing. The rain was
spattering into the windows despite the wide, covered porch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The waterproof
rain shell and overalls were made of some kind of soft cloth that shed water,
remained quiet when rain hit it, and blended in well with the darkened
watchmen’s positions. Roeland
called them Elven Cloaks. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug entered the
blanketed vestibule in the equipment shed, and found Arie, his daughter
Elisabeth and son Hendrik gathered around the radios. Hendrik and Arie’s watch
wrapped up at midnight, and it was not customary for them to be anywhere but in
the watchmen’s positions until relieved. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s going on?”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s an ambush
about to be sprung. We didn’t want to be in the middle of it,” Hendrik replied.
Doug noted that neither of them was wet from the rain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What about
patrol? Watch?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not tonight. The
Weerstand is close,” Arie said. “Hendrik, show him on the map,” Arie said,
listening to one of the headsets. Doug thought he heard someone on the radio
speaking Dutch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Hendrik motioned
Doug to a large map of the farm, marked with a coordinate grid that would
normally correspond to GPS coordinates for nearly automated farming. With the
loss of the GPS system and most communications satellites, the map was a bit of
a relic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The Weerstand put
out some information that we were having some storage issues here—implying that
we had supplies at risk because we didn’t have enough men,” Hendrik explained.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A trap? Here?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure. Good reason
too,” Hendrik continued. “They came up from the south, through these farms that
pulled back defensive and patrol lines. This is a funnel that they had to pass
through,” he said, showing three and a half miles of woods and streams through
a well-defined drainage, leading toward the Des Moines River. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How many men?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Enemy count is
one hundred thirty, more or less. They have boats at the river and men
there. When action starts here,
they’ll go down too,” Hendrik said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where is the
target? I mean, where do you spring it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Half mile south.
The Gunder cattle barn. The red
one,” Hendrik said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The Weerstand is
there?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, just south of
that in force. There are a few men there, to make it look like a soft target.
If it goes as planned, most of the enemy will never reach the barn.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hendrik, why
wasn’t I told about this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We didn’t know
where they’d be striking or when. If they had picked another night, you’d be
out in the far post, looking at black rain. They picked tonight, so tonight it
is.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Where did they
come from?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’re not sure.
If we catch some alive, we might be able to find out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug heard Arie
say something firmly, that sounded like ‘<i>Aanvallen</i>’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What did he say?”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dutch. ‘<i>Attack</i>’.”
Hendrik replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Elisabeth took off
her headphones and flipped on the speakers for all to hear. As Doug had been instructed in this
eventuality, the men in the field at this point were in charge to direct the
battle. There was nothing to do now but to listen and wait. Six frequencies on
each of the radios and scanners competed for attention. The enemy conveniently
had a single unencrypted frequency; the Weerstand had eleven that were
encrypted, covering various parts of the route from the Des Moines to the
Gunder barn. The fighting
was over within fifteen minutes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right then.
It is over for now,” Arie said. “Douglas, you may proceed to Wilde boom,” the
‘wild tree’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug knew that
even with a large raiding party being wiped out, there could be stragglers or
lone attackers, waiting for advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thomas will be at
the spring house soon,” Hendrik said. “He’ll be covering that side. Kurt is
down with a fever.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Anything
serious?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Too soon to tell.
He didn’t get the flu in the spring, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Hendrik
said, handing Doug his radio and his pack. Doug tucked the thermos into a
pocket. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We talk tomorrow,
Douglas. Ja?” Arie asked. “This news of yours. Interesting.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“For what it
didn’t say and for what it did.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arie nodded
without speaking, looking at the map of the farm. “You sound as if you are surprised
that your government is lying to you. Surely you are not that naïve, Douglas.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-52423656645247613182013-01-31T19:14:00.000-08:002013-02-04T15:10:11.663-08:00Distance, Chapter 49<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">49<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Saturday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September Second<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">4:04 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had
volunteered for the two to six a.m. watch, but had been overruled from perimeter
watch until Roeland, Peter and Hendrik could train him on procedures and the
lay of the land. Instead, he was
tasked with listening to overnight patrol reports from the main farm and seven
other adjacent farms in the alliance.
Each had their own frequencies; each had their own base station
monitoring all of the others as well as numerous other pre-programmed
frequencies in the region. Between the seven farms, nearly a thousand
frequencies were scanned, covering many of the active ham radio bands; police,
fire and emergency services from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids, into Illinois and
well into Missouri. Should any
trouble arise on any of the local farms everyone on watch would know about it
immediately. If one farm needed
assistance, all other farms stood ready to send reinforcements, while still
maintaining their own defenses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The system had
been set up after an attack on a distant relatives’ farm outside of Monona, in
northeastern Iowa. A similar setup
with communications had been in place, and when the call went out for aid,
nearly all of the watchmen and reserves responded. The three other farms were
then hit with multiple attacks—the first had been diversionary to assess
defenses and to pin down those defenders while brute force overwhelmed the rest
of the farms, stripped of defenses as part of the mutual aid response. The survivors estimated the attacking
force at more than a hundred men. The attackers then retreated in an orderly
manner into Wisconsin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The seven farms in
the Segher alliance though, were just one cell of many. Word of any attack from
any direction on any of the rural properties would rapidly spread.
Relationships built between neighbors over generations of farming and marriage
and business created the quilt of common bond throughout the region. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">An old, stained
map had been pinned to the corkboard above the bank of radios in the equipment
shed, not far from where Doug’s Jeep was parked. The map had been marked with a bright orange highlighter,
identifying areas that were ‘claimed’ by the New Republic. Most of Illinois lay
within their claim, and it was possible that the raiding party from Wisconsin
was part of this new threat. There were few States that agreed with—in
public—the New Republic Declaration of Independence, but reports on shortwave
spread like wildfire. Many of the
Northeastern states were supporting—covertly—this New Republic
organization. Already, refugees
from these states were beginning to move West, and running low on fuel well
short of their destinations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Family farm
operations across the region were a fraction of pre-Collapse in size, but
diversity had increased dramatically.
With many of the corporate farms lying fallow for lack of fuel, seed and
fertilizer, the smaller subsistence farms were wrapping up their summer
harvests. Temperatures over the average Labor Day weekend were normally in the
high seventies or eighties, with lows in the fifties at night. This year however, the highs barely hit
seventy, and nighttime temperatures hovered around forty degrees. The Federal
weather prediction system had no explanation for the cooler temperatures, and
no meaningful outlook for the coming fall and winter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arie however, knew
early in the year that something was dramatically different, and doubled the
production of cool-weather crops, while tightly minding the inventories of
grains for both human and animal use, buying or trading for more as the season
went on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The extended
family had been canning and dehydrating food from early June on, filling the
storerooms at the main farm, Catharina and Tom’s new home, Peter and Molly’s
place, and the rest of the families storerooms. Root crops would be coming out of the ground within the next
few weeks, and would again be distributed to various root cellars of the
family. Winter squash would be stored intact; pressure canned, and dehydrated,
Doug learned from Julie. Doug had little doubt that the Segher clan would make
it through the winter in good shape, missing little in the way of store-bought
foods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake Segher’s
workbench held the pile of electronics retrieved from the police station, and
several neatly organized stations where the electronics that were transmitting
were opened up for inspection. After opening up the shortwave transceiver case,
a trip wire of some kind attached to the case shorted out the transmitting
feature of the modified radio, Jake discovered to his irritation. He removed
the non-factory parts and placed them in their own little copper box. Using what he’d learned from the
shortwave transceiver, Jake carefully examined the cable television box before
cracking the case open. The cable
box, Jake discovered, had an independent power supply, RFID chip, wi-fi
transmitter, a video feed, and a substantial flash-memory storage card—none of
it factory installed, and none of the technology had anything in common with
the parts removed from the shortwave. Additionally the cable box additions were
completely hidden under the main cable TV circuit board, out of view of casual
inspection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After dinner the
previous evening, Jake and Doug talked about Jake’s discoveries, as Doug
removed the United States Government stickers from the Jeep with a heat gun and
a razor blade. Doug concluded that
the equipment was all put in by Regent.
Jake however, concluded that the cable gear was too sophisticated for a
private sector corporation, unless it was engaged in industrial espionage in a
hostile location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why would they
monitor their own staff with such sophistication?” he asked Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Because they
trust no one,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nonsense. You’re
proof that you’re wrong. If they didn’t trust you, you’d be dead in a ditch
someplace or fed to the pigs.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Point made,” Doug
said with no small amount of shock. “Let me clarify. I believe there are
factions within Regent that don’t trust anyone—that use whatever means
necessary to get leverage over others.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK. That does
make sense, but I’m still not buying it. I think this stuff is Big Brother,”
Jake replied. “One way or the
other, you’ll probably find out soon enough. I seriously doubt they’ll like having this equipment out in
the wild all on its lonesome.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They’ll come for
it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Pretty good
chance of it, once you get back to civilization, assuming they still have
assets afield.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I guess I’ll
cross that bridge when I come to it,” Doug said. Jake looked at Doug with unblinking eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doug, you ever
shoot anyone?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug flinched a
little involuntarily. “Yeah, actually. Several.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK. Advice: Do
not, if confronted by someone that could be Fed, get in the way--especially for
something like this. Assuming you
go on this road trip for the FDA next week, do yourself a favor and just leave
this thing in the Jeep. If you see someone breaking in to get it, let ‘em have
it. I have no idea what’s on that flash card, or if there’s anything of value
at all. But I do know that once that thing is in proximity to any one of a
number of innocent-looking pieces of hardware on any number of telephone poles,
it will receive a query from Someone, Somewhere, and it will answer.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Telephone poles?”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You ever see a
grey box on a telephone pole? Or maybe a drum-shaped thing on a post along a
road? Or just one of those green or tan phone junction boxes at the side of
some road?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, of course,”
Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Those don’t just
provide convenient places to connect wire ‘A’ to wire ‘B’; they haven’t for
many years.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh,” Doug said,
feeling stupid. “I had no idea.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nearly no one
does,” Jake said chuckling. “All
this talk about the Government adding cameras and watching people and all that
over the past couple of years just makes me laugh. They’ve known for forty
years everything you’ve said on the phone, every page you load on the internet,
anyone you talk to, anything you write. People are up in arms two generations
too late.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As the stars in
the eastern sky began to fade with the coming dawn, Doug’s quiet contemplation
was destroyed with bursts of radio traffic from radio transmissions in the
east. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eighty miles away,
between Peoria and Galesburg, Illinois, a probable raiding party was spotted by
a deputy sheriff. Word was
immediately broadcast in that area to adjacent properties and their respective
protection cells. Moments after that, the radio transmissions were jammed with
reports of attacks from Springfield, Illinois to Moline, just across the
Mississippi from Davenport, Iowa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was
monitoring two frequencies in that area, and getting reports from the six other
base stations in the Segher group on the dozen or so frequencies they were
listening to. Nothing was
happening nearby, but protocol called for Doug to provide warning to those on
watch, from references in a book that he was not exactly well versed in. He
referred to his cheat-sheet, instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One Peter Five Eight. Repeat, One Peter Five Eight,” Doug
said quietly into the microphone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One Six One Eight,” was
the singular reply a few moments later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s warning
referred to the Bible verse, ‘<span style="background: white;">Be sober,
be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh
about, seeking whom he may devour.’
</span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">The reply was
from the book of Matthew chapter sixteen, verse eighteen, ‘</span>And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The distance from
the raiders to the Segher Farm and allied farms was not important at the
moment. All watchmen were on a
heightened level of awareness for any potential raid from any direction. Should
potential raiders be in the area, the watchmen would report back with the first
part of Samuel, chapter seventeen, verse one, ‘Now the Philistines
gathered together their armies to battle,’ at
which point, Doug and the others manning the radios would relay for a general
call-up of all armed men and women in the area. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The cheat sheet
had a dozen numbers and their usage guidelines. Doug would come to memorize them all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The string of
attacks in Illinois stayed on the east side of the Mississippi, but from what
Doug could determine, there were at least twenty separate raids taking place
simultaneously. It was impossible to tell though, how successful they were. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the end of
their shift, Doug gathered with Peter, Roeland and Hendrik, as the
half-strength day shift, including Catharina’s husband Tom and his oldest,
Colin, took up the rifles and fresh radios, and headed out to their observation
posts. Cath settled into the
listener’s seat in front of the radios, and reviewed the notes that Doug had
compiled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The many farms on
the informal radio network had learned over the weeks and months that raiding
parties had never attacked any farm in the few hours after sunrise. The
admittedly-prejudiced consensus among many of the farm leaders was that the
raiders were mostly city people, and it was just ‘too early’ for them. As a result of these defined patterns,
the Seghers and any of a hundred other farms reduced their guards and proceeded
back to the business of farm operations in the early hours of the day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The clear, cold
night had given way to increasing clouds moving in from the northwest and
steady winds. The four men coming
off of the nightwatch all felt the first raindrops, softly at first, but steady
by the time they reached the porch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug ate a light
breakfast without coffee, and planned to head to bed for a few minutes with
Julie before she arose. Before he was able to leave the breakfast table though,
Cath called to the house on one of the UHF radios used around the Farm. Immediately it became clear that
the ‘night raids’ weren’t following the predictable pattern. The ‘night shift’
hurried back to the equipment shed to get more information. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s going on,
Cath?” Roeland asked of his older sister as soon as they’d closed the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Three more raids.
Smaller attacking groups,” she replied, listening to the continuing reports
while taking notes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Distance?” Peter
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Salem. Hillsboro.
Bonaparte,” Catharina replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Roeland explained
the significance to Doug: Salem was less than ten miles from the Farm;
Hillsboro eight miles; and Bonaparte a spare six miles away. They were too far
from each other to be a single raiding party. All were small villages without
permanent police presence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Size of the
raiding parties?” Hendrik asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No more than a
dozen. These are different though,” Cath said. “They’re taking people too, not
just food or supplies.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What? Human
trafficking?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They’re taking
women,” Cath said flatly. “Use your imagination. Doug, would you take over
these two?” she said, handing a slip of paper with two scanner ranges scrawled
down. “I thought I heard another call, but it went dead before I could hear it.
Then these came up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are all the other
farms already on alert?” Hendrik asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes,” Cath
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug picked up
another headset and quickly set up the frequency ranges, and was instantly hit
with the sound of gunfire. “Another one here,” Doug told them. “Not sure where
yet.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Keep us informed.
We’re going back out,” Peter said.
“Roel, aren’t you on duty today?” he asked, referring to Roeland’s
deputy sheriff’s responsibilities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not until noon.
Twelve shift tonight,” he replied, meaning a twelve hour shift. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug waved to them
to stop as he listened to the frantic voices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Charlie’s. They’re still at Charlie’s! We’ve got
to get back across the bridge!” a very scared
man yelled into the radio. Doug heard multiple rifles firing in the background.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Too many! They’re flanking us!” another voice yelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’re coming. We’re on River Road one mile west,”
a third voice said, trying to calm the first
two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“More on the River Road, half mile from the Eldon
bridge,” a deep male voice reported, quietly. “Four
vehicles. Two pickup trucks with men in the back, two light pickups with
shooters in the back.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right, that’s thirty plus,” another calm voice replied. “We can all see
what they’ve got. Take out the drivers before they hit that bridge. First unit,
push their dismounts from Seventh back to Ninth. Second unit, push them back to the river. And get our people
back.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They mentioned
‘Eldon’,” Doug said. Hendrik
walked up to the map and pointed to a river crossing and a small town, ten or
twelve miles west and a little north of the Farm. He placed a red pin at that
location, and at the towns that Cath had mentioned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The radios went
silent for a moment before several agonizing screams forced Doug to turn down
the volume on what he’d determined to be the attackers’ radio frequency. One of the attackers radios either had
an open mic or he was activated by his voice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve got both
sides of this fight. Attackers and defenders!” Doug flipped the speakers on both of the broadcasts.
Catharina listened as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jesus, I’m hit! Someone help me! I…can’t
breathe….” A man shrieked, before his voice
transitioned to a wet, choking gurgle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Unit one, mop up on the west of the bridge,” one of the defending commanders directed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ve got dismounts fleeing to the south from the
trucks. Pursue?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Wound them if they run and kill them if they
shoot back, Unit Two,” the commander said with
ice in his voice. “They’ve killed our people,” the man spat. “They killed them all.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few more minutes
of gunfire was heard on the ‘attackers’ radio, with the panting of several men.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Four prisoners,”
one of the defenders said to his commander. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Count of enemy dead,” the commander asked without inflection. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fourteen this side of the bridge. Twenty six on the south side.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You find a leader?”
the commander asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry sir, he took three rounds to the head.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Load them up and bring them all in,” was the reply. “Reserve Unit, police up the
vehicles, weapons, ammunition and equipment. Stage it as discussed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Damned
efficient,” Roeland said. “I’m not sure who that is but I’d like to find out.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We need to get
out to our positions,” Hendrik said. “Cath, are your radios…” she cut him off
with a wave of her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Still
going,” she said, not raising her head. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arie, Maria and
Julie entered the equipment shed as Hendrik reached for the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s going on?”
Julie asked. Doug stopped for a moment and smiled at her, thinking to himself
just how lucky he was to have found her.
Hendrik filled them in as Roeland and Peter picked up two matching
AR-15’s and vests. The Farm had
eight identical rifles of the type, along with load-bearing vests with extra
magazines, a pocket for one of the small tactical radios, and a chest-mounted
holster for a .45 caliber handgun. Other contents of each vest included a map
of the area, a pocket for a small first aid kit, and a packet of beef jerky,
dried fruit and nuts. Other
watch equipment was contained in a small pack that each watchman took out to
their assigned observation point. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The frequencies
that Doug had been monitoring went quiet as the minutes passed. He assumed that
the defenders in Eldon had completed their work, and were tending to their
wounded and dead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Father, we need
to talk with the Weerstand,” Cath told Arie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why, child? What
do you find?” he replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“These attackers.
They come from nowhere. They come from within. They are already among these
places. They did not travel from the east or the south, they sprung up from
within.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How do you know
this?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There were no
vehicles involved until the attacks were well underway. They came in afoot. Only after they had
attacked did the vehicles arrive. The vehicles were used for retreat—to take
what they had stolen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They did this
where?” Arie asked as Maria looked on sternly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Salem, Hillsboro
and Bonaparte,” Cath replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And probably
Eldon. Same pattern,” Doug added, realizing what Cath was saying. “They must be
moving in at night, or only moving at night.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There is
something I do not understand though,” Catharina said, making marks on a small
folded map. “In Bonaparte and Hillsboro, the trucks. They left behind some of
their people. They left them to fight for themselves.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That doesn’t make
any sense,” Julie said. “You don’t leave your people behind.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug wondered.
“Unless those people don’t matter to you.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” Julie
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Were those men
worth less than what or who they took?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">No one replied for
many seconds. Maria finally answered. “People don’t do that. You bring your
people home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You are applying
your belief system to people that do not necessarily believe in the same
things, Maria,” Doug said, before turning to Cath. “Cath, was there heavy
fighting in those cases?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. That is what
I found disturbing. There was little fighting at the end. They just drove off. The people in
Hillsboro then hunted down the stragglers. The others in Bonaparte are still
chasing them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Why this? Why
now?” Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Something
bigger’s going on,” Doug answered.
“Maybe part of this New Republic business. I don’t know.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We call the
Weerstand immediately. Catharina, make the call,” Arie said with
resignation. “We will meet today.
Here, for luncheon.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maria nodded and
tugged Julie along back to the house. “We’ve work to do, now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Arie, what can
the Weerstand do?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We go hunting,
Douglas. We do not wait to be preyed upon. The fight will come to them, and we
will bring it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug leaned back
in the chair for a moment before responding, considering what Arie had just
said. “Arie, the men I met…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are far more
capable than they might appear,” Arie replied before Doug could finish. “Do not
underestimate their abilities based on your eyes, for they deceive you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The men I met are
farmers. Business owners…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. They fight
for their homes, their wives and children and brothers and sisters. There are
men in the Weerstand that have fought for the United States, but remember there
are also men who have fought in South Africa to defend their farms, and lost
family and property and generations of heritage and ended up leaving that
place. In the words of one, this is but a tactical challenge that can be met,
matched, and defeated. Come now. There is much work to do,” Arie said, turning
to the door. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cath, are you OK
on the radios now?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Elisabeth
will be here soon. She can help if things get busy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Catharina, please
provide estimates on the locations of these raiders and where you think they’re
heading, ja?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, papa. Soon
now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug and Arie
walked on the brick pathway to the house as the rain picked up. “You good with
a rifle, Douglas?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’d regard myself
as ‘adequate’. No more than that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jacob will spend
some time with you in the small barn. He can hone your skills, ja?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That would be a
good idea.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“’Time grows
short, along with our days’, my father once told me,” Arie said as they reached
the house. “We must make good of them.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-54623927433518840402012-12-23T20:47:00.004-08:002012-12-23T20:47:51.026-08:00Distance, Chapter 48<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">48<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Friday evening, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">September First<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Segher Farm<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday’s
activities in Fairfield had stretched late into the day, including a prolonged
visit to the National Guard center to review the files sent him; and the review
of the stolen goods after they were processed by the police department. Doug
noted that the hard drives from the digital security recorders were missing,
and mentioned this to the police. Now,
in the early evening of September First, he was happy to help clean one of the
smaller barns and just think. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie, Maria and
the balance of the Segher family women were finishing up a large-scale peach
and apricot canning project at Peter and Molly’s house. Doug asked Arie for something he could
do alone and in peace, just to think.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Much on your
mind, ya?” Arie replied, looking at Doug for a long moment. “I’ve just the
place.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The ‘small’ barn
formerly housed sixty or so dairy cows, all sold off the previous year as the
fourth official ‘recession’ in eight years began and the real collapse started.
With the endless list of more important things on the farm needing attention,
the clean out of this particular barn had waited, until today. Doug worked with
minimal lighting, which allowed him a narrow focus for both his work and his
mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The e-dispatches
forwarded to him by his secretary were encrypted and only portable if sent to
his government-provided laptop, or viewable as read-only at the nearly deserted
Guard facility—‘print’ and ‘save’ functions had been disabled. He hadn’t thought of bringing the
laptop with him, and as a result spent more than three hours reading the
background material and ‘position statements’ provided by Lorraine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After reading the
many files provided—from many other departments, not just Food and Drug—Doug’s
opinion on the New Republic changed from the organization being a minor
distraction to what seemed like a major debacle in the making. From the President on down, the
statements didn’t seem to take the New Republic voices or actions with a level
of serious consideration—indeed, they were dismissed as dope-smoking Communist
freeloaders at best; America-hating parasites at worst. When the ‘official’
communiqués were viewed in timeline-order, the initial dispatches were serious,
mindful of the consequences, filled with carefully chosen words, and obviously
were put together by people who’d thought out the problem. The later dispatches in the stream of
communications—even those allegedly written by a previously ‘thoughtful’ senior
staff person—were shallow, name calling, sycophantic responses mirroring the
opinions of close friends and political appointees of the President. Almost universally, the Vice
President’s staff rejected the position that the Administration was proposing,
using very strong language. Doug
thought, as he closed the last file in the series, that either the Vice
President would be asked to resign or that the ‘popular uprising’ as the FBI
had called it, would spread in the face of no meaningful resistance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s specific
orders remain unchanged, but now had increased urgency to ‘ensure
regulatory safeguards remain in place.’ It seemed to him that
the Federal Government was utterly unprepared for the level of popular
opposition against cutbacks in Federal programs including pensions, Medicare
and Medicaid, farm, technology and fuel subsidies. These had now festered for months, after years of ‘austerity
programs’ that had delayed scheduled cost-of-living increases and ‘mandated’
growth. States, after cutbacks of
Federal funding proved themselves unable to continue the uncounted mandated
programs. Millions of people
‘slipping through the safety net’ were now the constituency of the New Republic. The currency devaluations, the
elimination of recognizable currency—the former ‘nickel’, now being made from
an alloy was one of the changes—all worked against the Federal Government and
the shreds of remaining confidence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had met with
Arie, Peter, Roeland and Maria and Julie over dinner, and provided them a look
inside of the Federal Government that only a relative handful of people would
hear of. None of what Doug said really came as a surprise, but there was
seemingly a feeling of resignation about the path that the Nation was on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Late into the
night, Doug lay awake in the darkened bedroom, Julie soundly sleeping at his
side. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Early Friday
morning, they’d had been roused by Roeland, in his deputy sheriff uniform and
body armor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doug, you’re
needed in Fairfield. Pronto,” Roeland said quietly. Julie slept soundly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Shaking the fog
from his head, Doug finally figured out where he was. “What?” he
whispered. Roeland motioned him to
come out of the bedroom. It was near sunrise, he noted as he quietly closed the
door. A beautiful, cloudless Iowa sky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your suspect died
overnight, according to my sources. The Fairfield P.D. has no idea why. Might be a good idea to get up there
and find out anything you can. Be a little proactive on it,” Roeland said, in
effect saying, ‘eliminate yourself as a conspirator in his death.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, was he alone?
Did someone kill him?” Doug asked as they moved into the kitchen, where Maria
had just started to make boterkoek—Dutch
coffee cake. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No idea. Probably not a great idea for me to be
asking around about it,” Roeland said. “Might be a good idea for you to get to
town by say, seven-thirty or eight.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right. Is
there anything else you can tell me?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s about all
I know. Rumblings in the East, though. Lotta shortwave chatter about this New
Republic bullcrap,” Roeland said, cleaning up his language in front of his
mother. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Today’s supposed
to be their Independence Day,” Doug said to no one in particular. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. But will
there be a<i> ‘shot heard round the world?’”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug dressed
quietly, and kissed the snoozing Julie good morning, explaining the
situation. She was out of bed
immediately. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m going with
you,” she stated flatly. Doug knew there wasn’t any point in trying to change
her mind, and for that matter, figured that there wasn’t any reason to
try. Ten minutes later, they were
in the Jeep and had cleared the front gate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you…think that
Regent killed this guy?” Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“’Rule one: Kill
the killer’, I read somewhere. It’s too pat. Too convenient for him to die in
police custody,” Doug said, touching one of the radio buttons to scan. “I don’t know where anything’s going.
Just when I start to think I know where I’m going, I get broadsided.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re off
balance,” Julie said. “Maybe you’re being deliberately kept off balance.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Huh?” Doug said,
puzzled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“In my former
life, I saw lots of gamesmanship where an employer would pit one employee
against another, stir the pot, create some sort of controversy to hide his real
intentions—keeping his staff low-paid. I saw the same thing where employees
would kiss up to the boss in his presence, while looting the till through all
kinds of creative means,” Julie said. “Most of the time, I could prove it,
given time and authorization. Maybe you’re being played.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug didn’t know
what to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What would be the
motivation, you’re wondering,” Julie said, trying to get comfortable in the
passenger seat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. Exactly.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your ties to Des
Moines are cut. Your ties to
Fairfield are cut. People you knew through Regent are dead. Who would stand to
gain?” Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t know,”
Doug said, turning north toward Fairfield. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Someone who wants
you to go a different direction.
If they’d have wanted you dead, you’d be gone already. So someone sees
you as an asset, not a liability. For now,” she said with ‘that tone’ of voice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“For now,” Doug
repeated, his mind now going a completely different direction. Doug slowed as he drove through the
little hamlet of Birmingham. A few
people looked at the FDA label on the side of the Jeep and scowled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A few minutes
later, Doug drove up the driveway to the wrecked house to show Julie the place.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My God. You
weren’t exaggerating,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, I was not,”
Doug replied, turning the Jeep around, and heading back down the driveway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fairfield was a
bit livelier than Birmingham, but just barely. Virtually all of the marginal business enterprises had long
since closed, leaving only those that really were ‘important’ to the public. In the case of Fairfield, this meant a
few grocery stores, hardware, hunting and farm supply stores, the library,
machine and welding shops, clinics and second hand stores. Franchises of national restaurants and
retails had vanished, including their signs. Barter was more common than either local scrip or
‘dollars’ or the rare precious-metals transaction, but trust weighed heavy in
any transaction. The
Segher’s had schooled Doug on the evolution of the local economy over dinner,
the night before. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s Government
Jeep was viewed with suspicion as he drove through Fairfield…the FDA logo
drawing many stares. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You should travel
in something that doesn’t draw so much attention,” Julie said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. The big Federal logo doesn’t really go
with my outfit,” Doug replied, trying to lighten the mood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not kidding,”
Julie said seriously.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m not either,”
Doug persisted. “The whole ‘For Official Business Only’ thing cramps my style,”
he said, pulling into the police department. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug parked in the
same spot, and he and Julie held hands as they entered the building. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Officer
Schwartz,” Doug said, introducing Julie. “This is my wife Julie.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Ma’am,” Schwartz
said, looking at Julie over the top of his glasses. “Mister Peterson, can you account for your whereabouts since
you were here last?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“He’s been at the
farm, with my family. Including
Deputy Sheriff Roeland Segher,” Julie replied. Schwartz nodded and noted
Julie’s statement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I understand that
the suspect is dead?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. Died in his cell last evening. Window to the outside was penetrated,
but we’re not sure by what. No visible wound on the body. No one heard a
thing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you
identified him?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No. State medical examiner should have the
autopsy results back to us next week, unless there are drugs involved. Takes quite a bit longer. You wanna
pick up your property?” Schwartz asked. “Can’t prosecute the dead.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, I guess I
could,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Gimme a few
minutes and I’ll take you back to the Property Room.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good to his word,
Officer Schwartz summoned them down the hall after getting an even older man to
cover the dispatch radios.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You gonna be able
to I.D. what’s yours out of this stuff?” he asked, looking at a clipboard.
“There’s five pages of stuff inventoried here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If I can’t, I
won’t take it. As is, I’m not sure what I’m going to do with any of this in any
regard,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fair enough. Here’s the checklist—just initial there
in the left hand column that you’ve retrieved it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Twenty minutes
later, Doug and Julie had finished loading five boxes into the back of the FDA
Jeep and were headed back to the Farm.
Julie flipped on the radio in time to hear the last tones of the
Emergency Broadcast Signal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“This is the Voice of the New Republic,
transmitting over the Emergency Broadcast System. The New Republic has accessed this system for a special
broadcast from Montauk, New York, where Senator Cynthia Blackburn and
Representative David Abdul Muhsin.
Friends, I give you Cynthia Blackburn,”</i>
a game-show style male voice announced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What the Hell?”
Doug asked. He pulled to the side
of the empty road to listen to the weak transmission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“We are here on the dawn of a new day. This day
brings us the promise of true social justice for the people, the end of a
corrupt and collapsing regime geared only toward the profit of a few at the
expense of the rest of us.</i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>We are here to bring commonsense solutions to
millions of people who have been disproportionately oppressed. We are reaching out with a message of
hope to those embattled masses.
Your fair share is coming.
The extremist right-wing leadership that has driven us into the ground
will pass away, and we will rise to lead. We are not in denial that the mean
spirited practices and outright domination practiced by the leaders of the
United States of America is the best thing for this world. They are plainly
not! The violence that they’ve
inflicted on millions must end. We mean to see that it happens now!<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>It is time for us to rise up, to throw off the
shackles placed on us. It is time
for positive outcomes and shared values.
It is time for sound governance through protection of our environment. It is time for proper taxation of
corporations and individuals who choose to work outside the bounds of fairness.
It is time that the burdens of unfair debt are thrown off, especially those
placed on the young through the Federal Student Loan system. There are so many
marginalized and underserved people in this nation that strive for a vibrant
new community! We call on you to help—to
repurpose your lives and the lives of others to serve all in the struggle for
equality and to work within the global community! We will no longer tolerate corporations disenfranchising the
worker--we will bring our demands to these corporations and see that they are
satisfied. The globalist system has failed us; it is time for us to see that we
don’t fail each other. We are taking this continent--we are remaking it! Their
failed policies will no longer be tolerated and we have the power to end them and
put in place new systems that recognize the value of the creative; that reward
those in need and that benefit our culture! </i></span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We declare our Independence. Today is the day of the New Republic!”</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
Blackburn said, as thunderous applause rose. </span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“And now, Representative Mushin,”</i> the gameshow voice announced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“On behalf of the many cultures here today, I
thank you for your time,” </i>Mushin began. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“We are here to create, not to destroy. To unite, and not divide. These are not just words, they are true
commitments to equality for the most abled, and for the least. We are here to
see that proper investments are made in the future of the people, that the
emerging consensus of the past few months grows and thrives. That we empower those around us and
that we end the cycles of violence and poverty and division reinforced by the
United States on the people of the world.
The New Republic is founded on these principles. We are here to give voice. We are here to listen. We are here to grow support for those
policies of fairness and investments in the future of our people. Our nation’s children and indeed, the
people of our nation live within and outside the physical borders of the United
States of America, for our nation reaches beyond mere physical lines on maps. We have brothers and sisters in Africa.
In Europe. In the embattled Middle East.
We call on our brothers and sisters to join us. It is a new day; it is our day!” </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Certainly full of
themselves, aren’t they?” Julie said as more applause flooded the radio. Doug
didn’t have a chance to answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“We are poised to…”</i>
the broadcast was terminated and static filled the airwaves. Doug punched the
‘scan’ button on the radio, and found all frequencies nothing but an even level
of static.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Big Brother
didn’t like that show, it appears,” Doug said. “Let’s get home.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What do you think
that means?” Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Civil war maybe?
I don’t really know. What would this ‘New Republic’ use for an army? For
weapons? It’s not like they can seize stuff laying around—most of it is in
Mexico.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you heard of
their…territories?” Julie asked. “Are they just in New England?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, they’re
spread out, but from what I know it’s not like they’re consolidating their
areas of control,” Doug said, getting the Jeep back on the road. “One of my
contacts with Regent said that the company was involved in, ‘efforts to
distract and destabilize current leadership models’. That tells me that they’re part of the New Republic. Am I wrong?” he asked Julie. She sat
there, unspeaking. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Which means,”
Doug continued, “that I’m an agent for someone that wants to overthrow the
United States Government.” A chill
ran through him. He was on the same ‘side’ as those people on the radio. “Good
God.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You have to get
out. You have to get out of Regent and out of the FDA,” Julie said in pleading
voice. “You have to, Doug.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I know. But I can’t just ‘not show up.’ I need
to complete this assignment and resign.
Then we need to disappear,” he said, thinking about what that really
meant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What will Regent
do?” Julie said, reading his thoughts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have no idea,”
he said, lying. He knew perfectly
well. They’d kill him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">They arrived at
the Farm a half-hour later, and were immediately directed back into the
equipment shed, and the giant metal cage within. Jake Segher, dressed in coveralls, waved them inside. He pulled the huge door closed behind
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s see what
they’ve done to your rig,” Jake said flatly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who?” Julie
asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh, I dunno. Just the global conspiracy.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not funny, Jake,”
she replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not really meant
to be. Contact at any time means that something could be added to, or taken
away from, your person or your vehicle. So we check to see,” Jake said, picking
up some sort of hand-held scanner. “Big batch of stuff in the back. Yours?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“These were stolen
from my house up north. A few
things that belonged to the Kliest’s as well,” Doug said. “A half dozen
radios.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right, we’ll
start with these then,” Jake said, opening up the hatch, and holding the
scanner over the boxes. “Well, now,” he said, looking at a small LCD screen on
the scanner. “Someone’s added a few cookies to your cookie jar.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Something here is
actively transmitting. Weak, but it’s there. Something else, here, too,” Jake
said, brow furrowed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t
understand,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Think of this as
a rotating transmitter,” Jake said.
“Something in there answered back. Whatever is in there responded with a
data stream when it was hit with the initiating frequency.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can you…tell what
was sent?” Julie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not a chance in
Hell,” Jake said. “Not without a supercomputer and the correct programming
algorithm.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who’d have that
kind of technology?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The National
Security Agency, for one,” Jake said. “Doug, can you positively identify each
piece of equipment here as yours or your neighbors?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, pretty
sure.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Pretty sure won’t
cut it. Positive ID is definitive.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can ID 80% with
certainty,” Doug replied, initially irritated but understanding what Jake was
getting at. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dig out your
stuff, put it on that bench over there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Doug, I’m going
to go inside. I’m late for my nap,” Julie said, yawning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll let you know
what we find,” he said, giving her a quick kiss and a hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug pulled out
the electronics and placed them on the copper-covered workbench, where Jake
immediately ensured they weren’t transmitting anything, or responding to any
signal from his scanner. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s all of the
stuff that I can ID as coming from my place. The rest might be mine or Augie Kliest’s.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK. One piece at
a time, on the table to the left.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug started with
a ham radio that had belonged to Augie, a big Yaesu transceiver, the
FT2000. Jake scanned it as he
moved it from the Jeep to the workbench. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s one of
them—it’s transmitting when hit with a certain freq,” Jake said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug pulled out
several other items, including digital video recorders, cameras, Internet
routers and a laptop. Nothing
responded to Jake’s scanner. The last items were a pair of Sony AM radios and a
cable TV box. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Cable box. Put it over there near the Yaesu. The
Sony’s are clean.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What do we do
now?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I do some surgery
here and see what I can find. You
go take care of your better half and see if Arie needs any help. He’s working
on a new woodshed out back of the house. There’s twelve cord of wood back there
that needs to be stacked before the bad weather sets in.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks,
Jake. I appreciate your expertise
with this stuff. We’d never have known…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Most people have
never known. There’s more of this
stuff out there than anyone realizes. And you’re quite welcome. Anything I can do to put a wrench in
the works, and I’ll do it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The late summer
morning was growing hotter, but many of the leaves had already started to
yellow with the coming of autumn, much earlier, Maria had said, than she’d ever
seen. Doug walked back toward the
house, looking across the large garden, to the empty fields to the west. Nothing had been planted in any of the
fields, as far as he could see. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Pretty bleak, ya?”
Arie said, coming toward Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, it is,” he
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fallow year. Think of it as a fallow year.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, that’s the
bright side,” Doug said, feeling a little depressed at the view. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s another
bright side. There’s no food to be
found for others to take. So they
go elsewhere.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is that what you
had planned? I mean, you and…the others. The Weerstand.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arie looked at
Doug with a glint in his eye. “Some learn from history. Far too many don’t, are instead rewarded by death. We do not intend to be among the latter. Come now. I have a hammer and nails and
some tin that need your undivided.” </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-6325051906759746032012-11-13T21:20:00.000-08:002012-11-13T21:20:44.153-08:00And now, a word from our sponsor.
<br />
<div class="p1">
<i>Over the past week, I've had numerous emails regarding the outcome of the election and things that we might be facing. Below is a reply that I've sent to one of my readers, expanded a bit from that original response. </i></div>
<div class="p1">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="p1">
<i>Feel free to pass on this at anytime--the following has nothing to do with </i>Distance<i> or the prior three novels... these are just some of the rambling thoughts of the author. However, I doubt anyone would believe the situation we find ourselves, if it were in a novel. </i></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
From a reader:<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody>
<tr><td class="td1" valign="top"><div class="p3">
<b><i>I would wonder what your take is on what is happening right now. You have an election that appears rigged, you have 42 + states with petitions to secede at the white house, and of course economic collapse is knocking on the front door.</i></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td2" valign="top">
<div class="p4">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="td2" valign="top">
<div class="p4">
<br /></div>
<div class="p4">
My reply: </div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="p1">
Needless to say I was disappointed by the election. Not that I'm a huge Romney fan, but I thought that there were enough people out there that were awake and paying attention to flip Obama out of office. You cannot win an election when the debate moderators, the media, most other nations, and the existing administration are against you. Just cannot happen. I was hopeful until 7PM, Pacific Time. After that though, I poured two fingers of Scotch. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Obviously, there are enough people awake and 'on the dole' to realize that they've got a <i>very good thing going </i>with the current administration remaining in place, and don't see the need or have the desire to change it. The "47%" that Romney mentioned didn't vote for him; he was exactly right in his comments. There were too many insurmountables for him to beat. He couldn't even win his own state. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So, things have tipped over. There is no going back at this point. With the Senate still in D control; the House now willing to capitulate on anything Obama wants, since the R-party is now so obviously out of touch with the electorate that they have to do what Obama wants or they become even more irrelevant than they are now. They are blustering, but they'll cave soon enough. They weren't just spanked last weak. They were horsewhipped. I don't know what the R party is anymore, let alone who their leader is, what their goals and ideology represent--any of it. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
The R party needs to remake itself to listen to what the voters want, or it will lose the House in 2014, and that is a <i>very</i> real possibility. The R party leadership has disenfranchised so many people that they'll be lucky to <i>exist</i> at all in eight years. (Don't get me started on what they did to R. Paul at the convention). So what do the voters want? <b><i>Everything, with no threat of ever paying for it. </i></b></div>
<div class="p1">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="p1">
So what does that mean for us? D-Party, R-Party, same outcome, but one side wears better suits and doesn't put on phony accents when speaking to working people. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
So, among other things that we're facing: </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>The Fiscal Cliff:</b> I expect that either they'll kick the can down the road through a continuing resolution or we go off the cliff as the R party still remains out of touch and stands fast for whatever it is they believe in. The <i>perception</i> is that they are for the preservation of wealth for the wealthy. The facts be damned: No one cares that the rich people pay <b><i>far more than their fair share</i></b> in taxes and millions of others pay nothing or in fact get paid for breathing. No one who voted for Obama seems to care one iota that FedGov hasn't had an actual budget since GWB's last effort. Can you go for four years without balancing your checkbook or at least looking at the bank statement? I know that I can't. Tax the rich 100%, and you still don't get there. Tax them 200% and you still don't get there. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
We have a spending problem, not a revenue problem. There is no way that anyone wants to fix a spending problem. It's far too painful. But it's <i><b>necessary</b></i>. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Israel/Iran: </b>Either Israel goes it alone or they threaten Iran with both the assassination of their entire leadership tier, or they turn several parts of Iran into a glassy parking lot. Either way, it won't be long before things Are Decided. Of course, I Could Be Wrong. They are completely capable to do this all on their own and without permission or support from the U.S. As a matter of observation, they're better off not telling anyone anything until they're on their return leg of the mission. It's not like the U.S. leadership has proven itself competent any any aspect of foreign policy or covert actions for a long time now...</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>UN Small Arms Treaty:</b> Coming to a nation near you. This could be an exec order, approved by the Senate, crafted and rammed through the same way that Obamacare was. Don't expect a bunch of hearings on it, or expect it to follow legal pathways. Enforcement: No need to ban the weapons, just tax the crap out of ammunition; pound the manufacturers with all kinds of non-compliable compliance mandates; ban imports and exports of any kind. I visited a Cabelas over the weekend--There wasn't a black gun, magazine or any quality 5.56 left in the store by the end of the day. AK's were going too, along with 7.62x39. Lots of talk about either capitalizing on the weapons or being ready for seizures, one boat-tail round at a time at high velocity. It looked a **whole lot** like a Black Friday sale, but with much more determination. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Economy: </b>Despite the happy-talk, it doesn't matter what Obama does or doesn't do. Europe's going down hard, and when they go, we go. Might be soon, might be a year...dunno. Read Karl Denninger's site (The Market Ticker) when you can, or daily, including the comments section. These are professional traders, and they see risks and failure where we see nothing. I'm not in that business, so I don't see the danger signs that they do. I read the site, but seldom post. I treat that site like I do The Drudge Report. If you want to know the news before the MSM reports on it, you need to be ahead of the MSM. It is not difficult. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Read this: <a href="http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=2753128"><span class="s1">http://market-ticker.org/akcs-www?singlepost=2753128</span></a> That particular post explains the nature of exponential spending and debt accumulation. You don't know how bad it is until you are nearly out of breathable air. Scary as Hell when you think about it, especially in light of where we are post-election. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Money: </b>QE to Infinity will continue--and accelerate the destruction of our money. Europe will go first, meaning there is a flight to the perception of "quality": They will run to the dollar as other currencies die; then the dollar will go too. Things you need will continue to get more expensive--food, fuel, etc., but prices will not climb steadily and the .gov will leverage that as 'recovery'. Bumpy, unpredictable, and drawn out for far longer than would be reasonable. When it goes though, it will go very quickly. Think: Hours not days. Silver and gold gyrate a bunch. The old maxim applies: If you don't have it in your hands, you don't have it. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Obamacare:</b> Gets fully implemented, full-throttle. Private insurance companies will be driven out of existence. Health care quality plummets, and prices skyrocket. The Death Panel won't be needed, because simple delays in getting needed treatment will kill people....just like Great Britain. If you need a medical procedure done, get it done sooner rather than later. If you have insurance at a reasonable price now, you won't have it in a year--you might have insurance, but you'll be paying for much more of it (assuming your employer pays a portion of it now). ALSO, expect massive terminations of full time employees and hiring of part time employees, none of which will be eligible for employer-sponsored medical insurance. Expect all kinds of current fringe benefits to be eliminated as a result, causing further downward pressure on the workers. You're going to see a massive reduction in employers, as people figure out that it's just not worth it to work hard to pay the government more taxes and end up with much less at the end of the day. This may be the price of Austerity. I think it's more the cost of bloated government. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>ScandalGate and Fallout: </b> An ambassador--the second highest envoy a country can have, after the President--is allowed to be killed, when numerous options were available to save him; and after dozens of failures of security were allowed to happen. Protocol was completely ignored in multiple agencies and at multiple levels, including in the Situation Room where BHO was present and ordered 'Stand Down'. No one goes to jail or is punished. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Fast and Furious: </b> Weapons were supplied by the FedGov to Mexican drug gangs, resulting in hundreds, if not thousands of deaths. No one goes to jail or is punished. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>CIA Compromised: </b>The head of the CIA is banging his biographer, and isn't smart enough to use widely available, easily accessible and highly secure encryption means to express his need to get some from his mistress. The mistress is allowed access to all kinds of classified environments and probably information, as that kind of thing happens in the afterglow. Mistress talks, another woman gets involved, and Petraeus' succeeding General in Afghanistan decides to get involved to the tune of thousands, if not tens of thousands of emails. An investigating FBI agent gets overly involved and tries to start a relationship with one of the women, including communicating topless pictures of himself sent to her. This throws dirt on the CIA, the FBI, probably to a smaller degree State, and by extension, Obama, but he is far above the fray. Look for Petraeus and his general-buddy to be retired in disgrace, and word to come out that both were leading Bush-men in the big scheme of things. No one goes to jail or is punished. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
As a result of the shiny entertainment of a married four-star general getting all horizontal with a much younger woman, and the accessory collapse of several other major careers, Benghazi and the weapons smuggling is forgotten; F&F is forgotten, the CIA is reformed with new, Statist-approved leadership, as is the FBI. No one goes to jail or is punished. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
All this proves is that the most of the upper echelons of leadership in this nation are utterly corrupt. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Regulations</b>: Expect many more restrictive, private-business-unfriendly regulations to come your way. Expect there to be increasing restrictions on use of any kind of fuel: Wood burning, diesel, gasoline, whatever through a Carbon Tax. Expect environmental 'Agenda 21' stuff to grow quickly. Expect both parties to be sponsors as a way to seriously increase revenue. </div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<b>Courts: </b>We're going to see more radical Supreme Court judges, and a vast increase in radical judges in lower courts. This isn't even on the radar screen right now. Scalia, Ginsburg, Kennedy, two Reagan appointees and a Clinton appointee, will all likely be replaced with three Obama appointees. If this happens, this will be the largest bunch of USSC judges appointed by a single President since Eisenhower. Think about that one for a <b><i>long</i></b> time. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
If you've read Asimov, it's time to build your version of the Great Library of Trantor. If you've read Rand, it's time to re-read Atlas Shrugged and prepare accordingly. If you haven't read either or can't stand Rand's endless monologues, you still have some time to catch up, but don't waste time. If you're unfamiliar with any of the aforementioned, research the purposes and functions of medieval monasteries. They weren't all about religion and were designed to exist for many lifetimes. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I think we are in for a very rough time ahead. </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
T</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-71278442404143124082012-11-11T21:50:00.000-08:002013-01-31T19:21:09.140-08:00Distance, Chapter 47<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">47<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday evening, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August Thirtieth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Segher Farm<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Roeland’s men went
over the Jeep with the proverbial fine toothed comb, and found no electronic or
paper documentation that might be expected to be retrieved by Regent operatives
along Doug’s planned route.
Only by accident did one of the cousins discover a second enclosure,
adjacent to the Jeep’s powertrain control module that didn’t appear to belong. A
wiring harness was present, wrapped up with electrical tape that looked factory
enough, tucked behind the windshield washer reservoir under the hood. The
silver module didn’t quite look the same as the real PCM though.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Dinner was simple
but sumptuous, with Julie holding his hand throughout the entire meal, a smile
on her face. After dinner the men had headed either to patrol, to bed (for
those on patrol after midnight), or to the equipment shed for work on the Jeep.
Doug watched as the men carefully removed the fake module, placing it on a
workbench below a bank of radios within the cage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Stock power and
data connections for a PCM. But not hooked up,” Jake Segher said, glasses
halfway down his nose. “Crack it open?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yep,” Roeland
said. “Any marks or seals on the case?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Negative,” Jake replied.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s see what we
find inside.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jake took a
tee-handled tool from a rack and quickly removed several hex screws from the
case, followed by the silver cover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, that’s
easy,” Jake said. “Six flash
drives, all nicely wrapped up and labeled for each location. Wanna bet they’re
not encrypted?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How’re you going
to find out without triggering a date code event?” Doug asked. All of Regent’s files were proprietary,
and any access, even to just ‘peek’ at a file, resulted in a modification date
embedded in the file.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Trivialities,”
Jake replied, not looking up from the case and its contents. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jake has a
background in these things. Best not to ask any more about it,” Roeland said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If those files
are compromised I’m blown,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I contracted for
the National Security Agency for three years; Department of Defense two years
before that as an information assurance officer. I’m very, very good at what I
do,” Jake said, not raising his gaze from the computer enclosure. “And these are
not flash drives. These are covering up the real data on the board underneath
them. There’s a mini-USB port on this board. The flash drives are probably
explosive charges. That one on the left there is a little electro-magnetic
charge to wipe the data.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What?” Doug said
in surprise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Self-destruct.
Not enough to blow up your car. Don’t worry,” Jake said. “I’ll need to get my
gear and bring it here. This is a fairly sophisticated piece of work for the
civilian world. I can have the
data retrieved and this back together by morning.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t really
need the Jeep until…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, you need this
tomorrow. You said you’d be in Fairfield in the morning, right? Told the
police?” Jake said, still studying the case, the fake flash drives and the
circuit board beneath.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That commitment
you made to file a report, and any other communications made mentioning your
name have already been communicated electronically. Which means that your
corporation knows it already. They don’t expect you to drive a different
vehicle I would expect, so if you show up and file a report in Fairfield, your
vehicle would show up there. You’ll gas up there, use a credit card, call your
office and report what’s happened to your house. There may well be some
electronic track that can ping off of this,” Jake said, “and report back to the
mother ship.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How can that
possibly be true?” Doug said. “They’d have to monitor everything all the time.”
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’s not that difficult for an entity with means and desire,”
Jake said, looking over the top of his glasses. “Believe me. Child’s play when
the cell network was in operation—and lots of the infrastructure is still
intact, despite what you’re being told. The bandwidth is being used for other
things,” he looked up as Julie entered the equipment shed. “It appears you have
an appointment with your wife, Doug.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, I do,” Doug
said, looking at his curvy bride. “See you in the morning?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Most likely.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug took Julie’s
hand and closed the man-door behind them, greeted by the setting half-moon,
just above the trees in the east. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you have any
idea how much I love you?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Very nearly as
much as I love you. But not quite,” Julie said as they sat on the edge of an
ancient wooden table between the shed and the back door of the farm house. “I
have missed you every single day and had a lump in my throat just thinking
about you. I don’t want you going back. I want you to stay.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug paused for a
moment before speaking. “I don’t want to go back. I just don’t know how not to.
I don’t know what to do next. People I know…knew…are dead. I think my company
killed them. How am I supposed to behave, knowing that? What am I supposed to
do?” Doug found himself sobbing,
finally giving in to the pent-up grief and months of stress. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Long hours later,
well after moonset, they went to their bedroom and relieved pent-up stresses of
another nature, in much more intimate and pleasurable ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thursday morning, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August Thirty-first,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Fairfield, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug pulled into
the concrete parking lot of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, parking next
to concrete barriers that were placed to keep vehicles away from the
building. After parking his
reassembled Jeep, he was met by an officer at the entry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Business here
today, sir?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Name’s Doug
Peterson. I need to make a report.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The Kliest
murders. You’re on the list. Carrying?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Huh?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you carrying
a weapon, sir?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh. No, actually.
Not on me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“See Officer
Schwartz. Second door on the left,
down that hallway.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks,” Doug said.
It was only then that he noticed the second officer, inside a ballistic
enclosure with a shotgun on top of the counter, facing the door. Half the lights in the entry lobby were
out, burned out or damaged. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug made his way
to the assigned office, and knocked on the door jamb. Officer Schwartz was a much older man, Doug guessed well
past seventy. He removed a headset from his right ear, keeping the left one in
place. A haphazard collection of radios were to Schwartz’s right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sit,” Officer
Schwartz said, covering the mouthpiece to his headset. “Be with you in a
minute.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dispatch to two
four tango, proceed on assigned patrol route.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the
speakers in the radio bank replied, “Two four tango,” and the transmission
ended. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What can I do for
you?” the officer asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I need to make a
report. I live near….I lived
across the road from the Kliests.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You Peterson
then?” Schwartz asked with a critical eye. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“They hit your
place too, then I take it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. There is, though more to it than that,”
Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Go on,” the
officer said, leaning back in his chair a little. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mr. Kliest worked
for a real estate firm, which was affiliated with the company that I worked
for, Regent. They’re in the food
business—Regent Performance. Wholesale, distributing, the works,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You think there’s
a tie-in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t know.
Might be coincidence.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re working
for the Federal government now?” Schwartz asked, looking at the paperwork in
the Kliest’s file, with Doug’s business card. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Food and
Drug Administration. Based out of the Denver Federal Zone.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What was stolen
from your home?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Some things were
removed by my wife—she’s doubling-up with some family friends. There were a number of items that were
stolen. Mostly electronics,” Doug said, not mentioning the security system. “I
guess what surprised me was the destruction.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Deputy Earle said
it looked like explosives. That right?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, I guess.
It’s not like I’ve seen grenades go off before. The house is all but
destroyed,” Doug replied. “The big generator out back…looked like they melted
it. No idea how they did that.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right, Mister
Peterson. Here’s our packet for reporting stolen property. If you’d fill this
out, we’ll see what we can do,” Schwartz said, with a ‘cold chance in Hell’
tone of voice. “You can use that meeting room across the hall if you’d like.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK. Thanks. Is there a public phone I can use?”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Need to check in
with Denver? I hear they’re all in a dither today,” Schwartz said as one of the
radios came to life. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s that?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Those nutjobs
back East. Call themselves the ‘New Republic.’ Decided to declare their
independence. I hear it’s
all over the television, where they have television. Guess the President’s
called some emergency meeting or other.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug involuntarily
moved back in shock, and caught himself. “I…hadn’t heard. Radio’s been off.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There’s a phone
in that meeting room. Dial nine for an outside line,” Schwartz said. “Close the
door if you need privacy. That room’s pretty quiet, but not soundproof.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks. I
appreciate it,” Doug replied. He gathered up the papers and moved numbly across
to the empty room, closing the door behind him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He fished out the
small, leather-bound notebook with his contact information and the security
codes to gain access to the Federal communications network. Within a few moments, he was connected
to his secretary in Denver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Lorraine? This is
Doug.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hi, Doug. You
looking for the Deputy Director?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thought it might
be a good idea to check in. How’re things there?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Unevenly
distributed,” she replied. A
career civil servant, she’d seen all kinds of chaos over the years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What was that?”
Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When it hit the
fan first thing this morning, the output was not evenly distributed. For a
change, the folks upstairs got the lions’ share.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s pretty
good,” Doug said with a grin. “Director in?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, actually.
Very few of the folks upstairs are in. There’s word that they’re in an
emergency meeting over at the Central Hall. We can’t get through at all.
Security is Red throughout the zone.” Red was the highest level in the
five-tier system. ‘Lock Down’ was
more accurate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right. Listen, there’s been some trouble out
here. A couple of my neighbors were…murdered. My place was pretty much
ransacked as well.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My God! That’s
terrible!” Lorraine replied. “You aren’t close to the New Republic areas, are
you?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I just heard
about them from the police officer that I’m making my report to. I don’t know anything about them.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Are you in a
location where you can get an electronic dispatch?” E-dispatches were encrypted
files normally sent to Federal locations only, with special log in information
required to access the terminal, and upon approval, the actual message.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m in a police
station in Fairfield, Iowa. Not
exactly up to Federal security levels,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let me cross
check locations in your area,” Lorraine replied. Doug could hear her entering
his location in her computer. “You have a National Guard Center there. If
you’re at the Fairfield Police Station, they’re about a thousand feet north,
northwest. Head west to Twenty-Third, head north to West Stone, Turn right.
They’ll be on your left. I can send
your account the flash traffic immediately and you should be able to log in
there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Perfect, as
always, Lorraine. I’ll have to finish up the police report here, and then I’ll
head over there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Remember that at
my performance review in October, OK?” she laughed quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Done.” He ended the call, and then
deciphered the number for the Columbus office on a piece of scratch paper from
his small notebook. It might
look suspicious to have his former employers’ corporate headquarters phone number
in plain sight in his ‘official’ contacts list, he’d figured. He simply
disguised it by scattering the numbers across a series of pages in apparently
random locations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good morning,
this is Regent Columbus Operations Center. May I help you?” the pleasant voice
answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, this is Doug
Peterson, with the Food and Drug Administration. I’d like to speak with Kevin Martinez if possible?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The pleasant voice
paused before answering. “Do you know what division Mister Martinez is assigned
to? I believe that he may be in the shipping department,” the pleasant voice
asked as the challenge question. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No,
unfortunately, but I believed that he was in quality control. I was given this
number to contact him,” Doug replied with the correct response. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One moment, Mister
Peterson. I’ll try to connect you to that number.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug heard several
tones and a loud blast of static, and then Martinez answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister
Peterson. What can I do for you
today?” the familiar, and intimidating voice answered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What were those
noises on the line?” Doug said, irritated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Internal protocol
to check your phone line for anyone listening in…local, on your end. Big
Brother’s always listening. Where
you calling from?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“A police station
near my what’s left of my home. Kevin, do you know August Kliest?” Doug asked. He was met with a few
moments of silence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Of course,”
Martinez replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you know that
he and his wife were murdered?” A longer silence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We have not been
in contact with Mr. Kliest in three days.
We had assumed that there was a power issue. This has happened several
times in the past two months.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I came home from
Des Moines. I topped the hill near my place, and Augie’s driveway was full of
emergency vehicles. They were
apparently shot in the back of the head, execution-style. From what the deputy
said, it sounded as if they may have been died in a manner similar to people
that I worked with in Des Moines. A bolt gun,” Doug said, referring to Rob
Dowling’s death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Martinez didn’t
answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did Regent kill
these people?” Doug pressed, trying to keep his voice quiet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No,” Martinez
responded finally. “No Regent, or subsidiary company acted to terminate the
Kliests. There is…”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Terminate? Really Kevin?” Doug said, losing his temper. “They were slaughtered. Bound with zip-ties. If they weren’t murdered by
Regent; if Rob Dowling and Francine Redmond weren’t, then who? Four people in
my immediate circle are dead!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Regent did not
kill the Kliests,” Martinez replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Did Regent kill
Rob and Francine?” Doug pushed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Martinez paused.
“Not on my orders.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“So yes then?
Jesus Christ! Who made the call? They
didn’t know anything about RNEW!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Higher ups,”
Martinez said quietly. “It is not prudent of me to look into it. Des Moines was
certainly an internal action. I’ve only found out about this in the last two
hours.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The internal
security system at my house was removed, and then my home was blown up. Removed. Not stolen. Cameras, digital recorders,
cables. Gone. All of it,” Doug snarled.
“The backup generator was melted somehow. Kliests’ place might’ve had similar
damage. I don’t know.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There is more in
play here, Doug. It was not a Regent
operation,” Martinez said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Is this hit tied
to this New Republic bullshit?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Martinez took a
long time to reply. “Doug, there is more in play here. It’s not Regent. I do
not know if the ambitions of the Republic play into it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What do you know
about them?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The New Republic?
They want to overthrow the United States Government from within. Decentralized
resistance, masterfully orchestrated. Cell-based units, shaping up to be
classic revolutionary tactics. They’re pointing out all that is going wrong and
all that the Federals are doing badly, and right now there is no voice that
opposes them. Their words don’t match their real goals though. This Senator Blackburn,” Martinez
paused a moment, “is ostensibly the leader. She doesn’t fit the mold though. Someone is pulling her
strings.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug didn’t know
what to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You still there,
Peterson?” Martinez asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah,” he replied
more calmly, now with brow furrowed. “I don’t get it.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s not to
get? The traditional parties have both failed the country in the past few
years, because they’re essentially the same and are utterly unwilling to do
what they need to do. Most people call the current Republican President the
best Democrat in fifty years. Can you blame someone for coming up with
something different? Or for people to get behind them? Look at the results of
the last three elections. Damned close. All of them. Meaning that there’s an
‘Us versus Them’ atmosphere. Ripe.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. I can
spread blame around. You just described how people like Hitler came to power.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. Yeah it
is,” Martinez said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug reviewed his
FDA itinerary with Martinez, who knew little of Doug’s pending trip, only that
at the conclusion of the trip, he’d likely be recalled to Regent for his next
corporate assignment. He was
poised to ask another string of questions when he saw Officer Schwartz get up
from his desk and hurriedly rush to the front of the station, carrying a
pistol-gripped shotgun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kevin, I gotta
go. The cop across the hall just
ran to the front of the station with a shotgun.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Make contact when
you can,” Martinez replied as Doug hung up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug quickly moved
toward the door, peeking out the window to the front hallway before opening the
thick door. He couldn’t see
anyone, and opened the door slowly.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Moving into the
hallway, he saw Schwartz and three other officers with weapons drawn on a
scraggly blonde male, face down in the parking lot, struggling with more force
than Doug would’ve expected from a man his size. Another officer zip-tied the
man’s hands and ankles after hitting him with a taser. Within moments, two of
the officers hauled the young man to his feet and dragged him through the front
door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Back in that
room!” one yelled at Doug, who complied but watched the proceedings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The young mans’
face was not quite smiling, his eyes black….and soulless, he thought. The
officers hauled him through the entry lobby and down another hallway; Doug assumed
into a holding cell. Schwartz
returned to his office a few seconds later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What the Hell was
that?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That might be the
murderer of your neighbors. He just shot four people at a food co-op. His car was full of electronics. Maybe
you can I.D. some of it,” Schwartz said, breathing heavily. “I’m getting too
damned old for this short of shit.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who is he?” Doug
posed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No I.D. Didn’t
speak. Apparently he walked in, emptied his gun, and stood there. Some
God-damned druggie from the city is my bet,” Schwartz spat. “This way. Deputy Ryan should have the vehicle out
back right about now.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Schwartz led Doug
through a poorly lit hallway, through a massive door at the back of the
station. He heard someone start screaming from another hallway to the right. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bastard probably
just figured out he’s been caught,” Schwartz said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Two officers were
looking over an ancient, rusted-through S-10 Blazer. The back of the small SUV
was stuffed with clothing, boxes, and electronics. Doug immediately recognized
three cameras as being similar, if not identical to those from his home. Upon further inspection, he saw one of
the video displays and a digital recorder from the security system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s from my
house. Augie might’ve had the same
stuff though,” Doug said to Schwartz, before noticing several other packages.
He picked one up. It was from
Regent. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You sure about
that?” Schwartz asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah.
Absolutely,” Doug said, flipping over the Regent package, and then picking up
another.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Both were RNEW-line
products from the small markings on the packages. Doug knew that the
combinations would produce the altering effects desired by Corporate. Doug
scanned the rest of the contents of the SUV, now being unloaded, and saw dozens
of RNEW-line packages…most empty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There were far too
many for an individual to have consumed over a couple of days’ time—and neither
he, nor Augie would’ve had RNEW products on hand. Doug noticed among the debris in the passenger-side foot well,
a map of the region. Despite the stains on it, he could make out yellow
highlighting on a highway into Fairfield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Step away if you
would, Mister Peterson. We need to
process this all as evidence,” Deputy Schwartz asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, sure,” Doug
said, walking around the front of the beat-up Chevy. </span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The license plate was from Ohio; the plate frame from a
Chevy dealer in Columbus. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-41918085821137279392012-10-18T19:54:00.000-07:002012-10-18T19:54:09.913-07:00Distance, Chapter 46<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">46<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">11:40 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August Thirtieth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Near Fairfield, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The drive away
from Des Moines was completely uneventful. Nothing in the way of traffic—nothing. Roadblocks obviously
thrown up earlier in the year were unmanned, in some cases wind-blown soil had
drifted around the concrete barriers. Doug had never seen the farm fields of
Iowa completely bare of crops. The
appearances of the scattered farmhouses east of Interstate Thirty-Five
alternated between ‘abandoned’ and ‘fortified.’ Twice, west of Centerville, he spotted
single riders on horseback, watching the highway. He didn’t slow down to see if
they were armed. He realized later that there were probably many eyes watching
that he never saw.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The route that
Regent prepared for him was seemingly random, taking Doug farther south than
he’d previously traveled, which allowed him to approach home from Keosauqua,
well south of his ‘Regent’ home.
He could’ve just as easily turned south and ended up at the Farm, but it
would probably be in his best interest to stop at his ‘home’ before heading to
the Farm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He slowed well
before he needed to, still well south of his home and that of Augie
Kliest. A cluster of emergency
vehicles at the Kliests was an unwelcome sight. He pulled in behind a City of Fairfield fire truck and
paramedic unit, with an ambulance off to the side. A Jefferson County sheriff’s car was parked near the
garage. A deputy approached Doug
as he got out of the car. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You have business
here, sir?” the deputy asked, right hand on the butt of his holstered handgun. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, no. I’m a
neighbor,” Doug replied, pointing to his house across the highway. “I’ve been
out of town for most of the summer. I work for the Food and Drug
administration. Mr. Kliest was watching the place for me. What’s happened?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can you verify
your whereabouts for the last several days?” the deputy asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, I suppose
so. I was in Des Moines until this morning; yesterday I arrived there from
Denver,” he said, handing the deputy his Federal I.D. card and drivers’
license. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Can you prove
that?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I have my travel
papers from the Denver office in my bag. Is that enough? What’s happened here?”
Doug asked again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ve had a
number of people in outlying areas killed by raiders. In some cases it’s
appeared to be neighbor on neighbor. Mr. and Mrs. Kliest are deceased.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good God. The
Kliests wouldn’t harm a fly,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No matter,” the
deputy replied. “That your place?” he said pointing across the way to Doug’s
place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah. I’ve been gone since…June.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Pearson! Over here,
now!” the deputy shouted over his shoulder to the house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sir?” a very
young man appeared in the doorway.
Doug then noted a muddy boot print on the white door, and the destroyed
door jamb. Something didn’t add up, though, because if Kliest had the same type
of security that his home had, a mere kick on the front door would’ve just
frustrated the would-be intruder. A kick wouldn’t trash the door jamb like
that. A battering ram maybe…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Escort this
gentleman to his home over there,” the deputy pointed. “Do not enter the residence if you see
anything out of the formerly ordinary. Got it?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, sir,” the
young man replied. Doug noted he
was armed with a revolver that had seen better days. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“One of our
volunteers,” the deputy said to Doug quietly. “If there’s anything that looks
like it’s been tampered with, do not enter the home. Got it?” he said to
Pearson. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure. It’s not
like there was much in the place,” Doug replied, not mentioning the extensive
security system. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The young man
jogged ahead of Doug’s government vehicle, down the Kliest’s driveway and up
the hill to Doug’s place. He
stopped dead in his tracks, forty feet from the house. Doug got out of the Cherokee as the
young man waved him back. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Be right back
sir. Better not go in there,” he
said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s front door
was rammed in; most of the windows in the home were shattered. Some sort of explosion had taken place
inside, blasting glass and the wood mini-blinds apart and scattering them
across the yard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good God,” Doug
said again, this time to himself. Looking to the ‘concealed’ fuel pump, he noticed
the ‘shed’ had been ripped open and the pump was missing. A few moments later, the Deputy’s
Chevrolet pulled in around Doug’s Jeep. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, they got
yours, too,” the deputy said.
“Stay here while we clear the place. You got a basement?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah,” Doug said,
giving him the details on the layout. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hold fast here,”
the deputy replied. “Pearson,
holster that thing.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug noted the
young man had the weapon out and had both hands on it, ready to move into the
house. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Shotgun’s for
close quarters work,” the deputy said, handing the young man a pistol-gripped
shotgun. “Try not to shoot me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The deputy armed
himself with his own shotgun, this one equipped with a small flashlight, and
moved into the home through the front door, weapon ready. Pearson followed. Five long minutes later, both exited
the home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister Peterson,
come ahead please,” the deputy told Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’d you find?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Looks like a
couple of grenades. Your place is
a wreck. Pretty well stripped, too,” the deputy replied. “Pearson will walk you
through it,” he said, handing Doug a huge flashlight. “I need to get back across the street. Check in with me when you’re done with
your walkthrough—let me know what they’ve taken.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, okay,” Doug
said, checking the flashlight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Pearson kept quiet
as Doug entered the wrecked house, smashed and blasted by explosives thrown
through the front windows, blast marks radiating from several points on the
floor. While the home was sparsely
furnished, it appeared to Doug that several pieces had been taken out before
the home was blown up. He was
shocked to see some of the sheetrock blown into the voids between the wall
framing—the walls now looked corrugated, and most of the ceilings had
collapsed. Hunks of the wood flooring were blown out, with holes into the
basement in the front room. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The security
closet though, told Doug a different story, beyond simple theft and
destruction: The closet was empty, cleared of all cables, connectors and
hardware that held the Regent security system. Reviewing the rest of the house, the security cameras
were also missing—carefully removed. The upstairs rooms had been hit by several
small explosions—one per room—blowing out the glass and destroying several
walls. Shattered parts of
doors and wood trim covered the floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The basement had
been stripped of all supplies—but Julie might have removed them. The furnace, hot water heater, and most
of the plumbing was destroyed, again by some sort of small explosive. There was
nothing undamaged in the home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’d like to look
out back. There was a generator out there,” Doug told Pearson, not looking for
permission. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The door to the
generator shack was hanging from a single hinge. Inside, the remains of the generator showed the level of
effort put forth to destroy it.
The entire room was blackened by fire and reeked of burned oil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Looks like
it’s…melted,” Pearson said from over Doug’s shoulder. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah, it does,”
Doug replied. He had no idea what could possibly melt a hole through the
cylinder head and block of the big generator. A pool of hardened metal lay on
the floor beneath it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug sent the
young Pearson back to Kliest’s with the deputy’s flashlight after retrieving
one from the Jeep, and spent a few minutes collecting a few possessions as he
mulled over the situation and tried to come to a different conclusion than the
obvious one: Regent had killed Kliest, his wife, and sanitized the houses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">It was a full five
minutes before he realized that the Segher Farm might have been sanitized as
well. He headed back across the road before heading to the Farm, heart pounding
at what he might find. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You make a list
of what’s been stolen?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Too much to
list,” Doug told the deputy. “I’m
heading to my wife’s place—she’s been staying with friends all summer,” Doug
said as two men carried a basket with a body bag from the home. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Who would that be
exactly?” the deputy asked, noticing Doug’s stare. Doug gave him the name of the Seghers, as the second body
was removed. The deputy wrote it
down. “I’m going to need you to make a report on your home, Mister Peterson,
whether you elect to go back there or not.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll be happy to,
tomorrow. As is, there’s nothing left worth anything to me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Here’s the
location of the Sheriff’s office,” the deputy said, handing Doug a business
card. “You can file your report
there. Sooner the better…as in,
before close of business tomorrow. Got it?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Got it,” Doug
said. “One thing though. How did they…die?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Looked like a
single gunshot wound to the base of the skull. They were both bound with zip
ties before they were killed.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My God. That’s
horrible.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That someone
entered their home, and that they didn’t see fit to defend themselves as
whoever entered, tells us something. Either they didn’t see a threat coming or
they knew who their killers were,” the deputy said as the doors to the
ambulance were closed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“When did it
happen? Can you tell?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yesterday
morning, by the looks of it.
Breakfast dishes were on the table,” the deputy replied. “Quite a few things look to have been
taken, along with both of their vehicles. And firearms.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do they have
family?” Doug asked, feeling bad that he didn’t know. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Son in the Navy.
Two daughters. We haven’t located
any of them yet.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ll stop in at
the Sheriff’s office tomorrow.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks.
Appreciate it,” the deputy replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Almost
absentmindedly, Doug drove south toward the Seghers, and almost missed the turn
east that led by the farm. Augie
Kliest did not strike him as the kind of man who would let a stranger inside;
and if Regent was involved, the pieces fit that they were eliminating loose
connections. ‘Am I next?’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The entry to the
Farm had a new, very heavy-duty gate blocking the road, and the earthworks on
either side would prevent anything from entering from the road. The gate
sported a very heavy chain and lock.
Doug grabbed his backpack and started to pull out his rifle when he
heard a shotgun slide.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Don’t even think
about moving until I tell you to, Fed,” an unfamiliar voice ordered. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No problem,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hands where I can
see them. Back away from the
Jeep,” the man said. Doug complied immediately. “Hands on the hood, feet back
and spread ‘em.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Again, Doug
complied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s your
business here?” the man asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“To see my wife,
Julie.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Really. What’s her given name?” the man asked,
unfazed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Julia Kristen
Forsythe. We were married on Easter Sunday.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Stay put,” the
man said. A moment later,
Doug heard a chime from the direction of the house, and the man spoke quietly,
he assumed into some sort of radio. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“All right. Sounds
like you might be who you say you are. Relax,” the man said. Doug turned
around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m Kurt Segher.
One of the many cousins,” he said, lowering the shotgun. “You’re Doug?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Good to meet
you,” Doug said, shaking the man’s hand. He looked like a much younger version
of Arie, and had just a hint of Arie’s accent. “Where are you from? I don’t
remember hearing of you the last time I was here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“California. Not a
good place for dairymen these days. Arie and the family were kind enough to
help us get settled in here,” Kurt said as he unlocked the gate and pulled the
chain free. “We’ll talk more
later. I’m on patrol for the next couple of hours. Drive up to the equipment barn, and right inside. Doesn’t
pay to have cars outside.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“OK. Thanks,” Doug
said as he got inside the Cherokee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie was on the
porch as he drove up, slowing for Arie who waved him into the equipment
shed. The massive outer door was
open, and Doug parked within a metal, fence-like cage inside. Julie met him as he opened the
door and almost crushed him with a hug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re here! And
early!” she said as she buried her face in his neck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I am, finally,”
Doug said, finally kissing her as Arie closed the huge door. He noticed
something different. “You’re…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Pregnant,” Julie
replied softly. “Congratulations, Daddy,” she whispered in his ear as she
kissed his neck. “I didn’t want to put that in a letter.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was stunned
by the news, in a good way, and didn’t have any coherent reply. It took him
more than a few moments to come up with words. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s the best
thing I’ve heard in a really long time,” he said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie loosened her
grip on him and smiled. “Something’s
wrong,” Julie said to him, taking a good look at him for the first time.
“What’s happened?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Let’s go inside,”
Doug answered, taking her hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a robust
handshake from Arie and a hug from Maria, Doug sat at the worn kitchen table,
holding a giant mug of strong tea in one hand, Julie’s hand with the other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My neighbors, the
Kliests, were murdered yesterday. I was up in Des Moines, drove down
today. Thought I’d stop by the
house to see how it was, talk with Augie.
Cops, paramedics and firemen were there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s terrible!”
Julie responded immediately. Maria looked shaken as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This man,” Arie
said. “The one you spoke of? Worked for your company? Security man I believe
you said, yes?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Someone he knew
then,” Arie surmised. “You think
company did this?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Distinct
possibility. No. More than that…there’s more to it though,” Doug said before
explaining the condition of his home and the relatively undamaged Kliest
residence. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Outsiders did
this,” Maria said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I agree. Several of my colleagues in the Des
Moines office have also been murdered recently. The Kliests may have been
murdered in the same manner. Perhaps by the same people. I don’t know,” Doug
said. “It’s not plausible that the Kliests were murdered randomly and that the
security system equipment in our home was surgically removed prior to the house
being trashed. Either Regent did
it, or they didn’t. If they didn’t, then someone else knows what’s going on and
acted. If Regent did it, then I’ve brought trouble here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How do you find
out?” Julie asked. “Can you…contact Corporate?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can probably
try from Fairfield tomorrow. No
cell phones of course,” Doug said. “I’ll need to make a police report, so I’m
already going to be in town. I’ll
try to get through to Columbus.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How long are you
here?” Arie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m to be on the
road on September Eleventh. I’ve a number of locations in the Midwest that I’m
to visit as part of an FDA inspection tour. I also believe that there are materials in the Jeep that are
to be retrieved by Regent agents in those locations, or on the way,” Doug
said. Arie quickly leaned back in
his chair, hands on the table. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Maria, call
Roeland,” Arie said. “Douglas, with me please. We’ll be back soon,” he told
Maria and Julie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug and Arie
walked back to the equipment shed, met by Roeland just inside. He’d obviously
been on patrol on the Farm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s going on?”
Roeland said, barely acknowledging Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“His vehicle,”
Arie began before Doug interrupted him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It has
information aboard. Maybe marching
orders from Columbus or Denver or both,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If it can be
retrieved without appearing to have been tampered with, do so. You have men for this,” Arie directed
Roeland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. I’ll contact
them as soon as I can. Doug, when
do you leave?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’ve got
time. I don’t leave until the
Eleventh. I’m off the grid until then.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good. Plenty of time for us to put you to
work. You remember what ‘work’ is, don’t you?” Roeland said with a smirk. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I’m sure I can
figure it out.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s the story
on the contents of the Jeep? Roeland asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“My personal bags,
a few firearms. The boxes in the
back are supposed to be Regent Preferred.
Not altered.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Supposed to be?”
Arie asked. “You believe otherwise?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I suspect otherwise,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Have you checked
for marker tags?” Roeland asked, referring to the radio frequency
identification markers that could be hidden in any package, garment or vehicle.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No point in
checking. The technology has
advanced dramatically. The chips
could be buried within the packaging and I’d never see it. Some of the samples
I know of were paper thin and a sixteenth of an inch wide,” Doug said. Arie
looked through the cargo area windows suspiciously at the cardboard cases
bearing the Regent logo. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s OK. We’ve ways to find them if they’re
here, and ways to find the repeater unit in the car if there is one,” Roeland
said. “Not that any signals are going to get out of here,” he said
off-handedly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Huh?” Doug asked.
“Why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Look around,”
Roeland said, pointing to the huge cage that held the Jeep. “The cage is designed to shield
electromagnetic signals.” Doug noticed the steel cage had numerous copper wires
fastened to it in a grid. “The cage seriously limits the effectiveness of radio
transmission or reception. On the flip side, something like this cage could
save our sensitive electronics if another nuke goes off and we’re smart enough
to stow them inside.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Would you mind if
I tried the radio?” Doug asked. He
was skeptical that the cage would do what Roeland stated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Go for it,”
Roeland replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug got in the
Cherokee, turned the key on, and turned the radio on. Hitting the ‘scan’ button, the radio was unable to lock onto
any station. Nothing but static. Switching
to the FM band, he was met with similar results. The Cherokee also had a scanner for emergency services
and weather bands. No signals were
detected on any of the bands. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“This really does
seem to work,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It does a very
good job for what it is. Your RFID
tags and any on board repeater are almost certainly completely blocked,”
Roeland said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If Regent were
tracking me, I’d have gone off-grid,” Doug replied. “And they’d wonder how that happened.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes, but the
transmitter systems don’t have a strong enough signal to go very far. You need a cell phone type repeater to
provide a fix on your location, and two or three towers to triangulate your
location. Since the cell towers…and the cell systems have been dead since the
war, you probably went off-grid as soon as you left the neighborhood in Des
Moines.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What about
satellite?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“GPS’s are
dead. Sat phones are too. Without
functioning satellites, GPS’s are just fancy bricks.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">That relieved Doug
a little, knowing now that Regent didn’t know exactly where their products
might be. Even so, they knew were he was heading, and he’d hardly be staying at
his wrecked home when there were other options available. He still struggled with the Kliests
deaths. He felt as if he were
being herded, his options limited by others to suit their needs, not his. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Roeland, you do
what you can with this. Douglas, what should we do with this…stuff in the back
of your Jeep?” Arie asked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I can’t recommend
eating it. I don’t know where it’s
from or what’s in it, unlike product made in my own plant back in the spring,”
he said. “Feed it to the pigs or something.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not sure they’d
eat it,” Roeland replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-16719158687941759612012-09-27T22:21:00.001-07:002012-10-02T09:09:13.990-07:00Distance, Chapter 45<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">45<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August Twenty-ninth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regent Plaza, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Denver, Colorado<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three months away
from home, Doug walked to the Regent corporate plane, waiting for takeoff. Attired in ‘business casual’ clothing,
he was likely not to come back to Denver for at least a month. The FDA had directed him in a half-page
memo to begin a Midwest tour of facilities that were failing to meet
quotas—none were Regent operations. Doug suspected that information he had
provided to Adam Krusen was having a favorable effect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Julie would be
surprised by his arrival, but he did tell her in a letter that he’d be back
sometime in early September. The few days extra just happened to fit into an
extended Labor Day holiday that the FDA staff was more than happy to create. Of
five days in a typical work week, he could count on at least a quarter of the
Federal staff missing one day and perhaps two, with a bare minimum of real work
getting done in the meantime. Doug
was stunned initially at the level of sloth in the administration—the few
people that actually had the drive to work were quickly worn down or bought off
with bonus pay…rewarding them for less actual productivity. As the summer wore on, it was apparent
that less effort was being put into recovery. The effort was going toward
reward and incentive pay, the scuttlebutt was all about how the President would
be ‘strengthening the nation and taking care of those troublemakers in
the East.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s two
immediate superiors were decent enough men and also completely out of their
depth. Political appointees and
friends of friends of Senators or some such, they were put in place after the
qualified predecessors died in the first round of Guangdong flu. Doug had requested biographies of both
the Director and Deputy Director in his first few days, just to gain some
background on each. Neither had a background in food, industrial production or
anything related to regulation.
Both looked like they were doing their job, attending meetings,
arranging for staff to handle assignments, and then reporting to their
superiors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug found the men
easily manipulated, deferring to their staffs the heavy lifting,
especially if the idea were presented for them to put forward as ‘theirs.’ Suspecting that neither knew the true
nature of RNEW or Regent’s plans, he found it relatively easy to prevent
incorporation of RNEW lines in non-affected plants in the West, and to limit
shipments of the Regent-designed additives only to the already-affected Eastern
United States. Regent, meanwhile, was struggling to find out why they were
being shut down at every turn when trying to get ‘product’ to the Pacific Coast
and to the troops in Mexico.
He was quite thorough in making sure that the RNEW conversations didn’t
identify him in any way, including electronic communication. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug wouldn’t miss
what Denver now represented to him; the constant role-playing, masking any
vestige of his true feelings and thoughts, working late in order to avoid being
entrapped in the sex-fest at <i>The Mile</i>,
where high priced prostitutes serviced any Federal worker they could wrap their
legs around....his
too-close-for-comfort proximity to what he now knew as an entrenched system in
full collapse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Drinks at <i>The
Mile</i> were free, the food excellent, and the
entertainment started at a thousand dollars, and went up from there. Doug’s one
and only visit to the venue was eight days into his job, when one of the Deputy
Directors’ senior staff invited him along. Doug attended out of courtesy and
not knowing anything about the place, and was able to make a discrete exit
after the man that invited him was shown to a private room, while Doug remained
in the bar area. The bar was nothing more than a parade ground where the
Federal invitees could select their entertainment for the evening, or their
level of perversion, or both. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Denver
International was much more shabby and crowded than his arrival visit in
June. He had been escorted into a
military security checkpoint, grilled for fifteen minutes, patted down and sent
through a three-dimensional scanner.
All of his luggage was searched as well, scanned, and left for him to
re-pack. His Federal security
badge was logged into the system, and he was cleared for travel to the Midwest.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">None of that was
unexpected, as he’d heard stories about outbound travel. Federal clearance
didn’t guarantee travel approval, but no Federal I.D. was as good as trying to
get there on foot. No one boarded any sort of airliner without proper I.D.
within a hundred miles of a Federal Zone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The troops lined
up for departure looked more worn and drawn, than the men that Doug had seen in
the terminal in June. Uniforms were mismatched; backpacks dirtier and worn, and
the men themselves had an attitude that spoke of fatigue. His military escorts didn’t answer his
casual question of where the men were coming from, or where they were going,
just returning Doug’s question with a look that said, ‘don’t ask again.’ As
he walked toward the Regent-supplied aircraft—another ‘effort to assist
the Government in Recovery’—Doug noted that the
aircraft being used by the Army were all in civilian livery. No military
transports were visible anywhere.
He also noted that the airport security detail, instead of driving the
typical Humvee were using Toyota pickup trucks with mounted machine guns. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Bloody Mary sir?
Should be about five minutes or so to taxi,” the steward asked. “Also, sir,
that envelope in the seat next to you is for you, regarding your connection in
Des Moines I believe.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, sure. That’d
be great. And thanks for this,” he replied, holding up the large packet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You worked for
Regent, sir?” the steward asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yes. Volunteered
to help out the FDA until things get settled,” Doug replied. “Kind of a temporary detachment. Name’s
Doug Peterson.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Michael Sandram,
sir. Home base is Columbus.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“How’re things
back there? Been awhile since I’ve been.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fine, sir,” the
steward replied courteously, not giving away a thing as he poured Doug a tall
drink and added a fresh celery stalk. Doug knew that fresh food like that
wasn’t just a premium expense; it was all but impossible to find. “Should be right around an hour fifteen
to Des Moines, once we’re airborne, and I’ve got a nice lunch once we’re at
altitude.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Many thanks,”
Doug replied, taking the drink.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Pilatus single
engine started up, idled for a minute or so, and the plane rolled onto the
taxiway, pausing only a moment before the pilot went into his takeoff roll. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He hadn’t even
noticed that the plane had leveled off at altitude, being deeply engrossed in
the itinerary and his expected observations and the reasoning for the
inspections. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The large securely
sealed Tyvek envelope held Doug’s FDA assignment schedule, starting on Monday,
September Eleventh. Until then, he was a free man, more or less. The paperwork
included instructions on obtaining a Government Services Administration vehicle
in Des Moines, locations of fueling stations, lodging, and of course the
lengthy list of target facilities.
He was directed to use his discretion on visiting targets on that list,
none of which had been notified of his pending visit. He noted that every
single fueling station, place of lodging, and cafeteria were either within
Federal Zones or on military bases.
Another envelope bore a Regent watermark, and Doug kept that free from
the eyes of the steward. It was the first time in a month that he’d had a
Regent packet arrive confidentially. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister Peterson?
I have a light lunch of baked brie and baguettes, with apricot preserves and a
raspberry chipotle, accompanied by a nice Merlot, if you’re interested,” the
steward inquired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Huh?” Doug
replied. “Oh, sorry. Yes, that sounds great.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Very well, sir. I’ll
have it right up.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lunch was
quite good, in keeping with the entire system of Federal operations, but Doug
didn’t know if this was more ‘Regent’ than ‘Federal.’ The lines seemed to blur,
especially as he read through the single page Regent document marked ‘Confidential’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>8-29<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Doug—it is imperative that you complete the entire
itinerary provided herein by September 30, although there is no specific order
for completion. All courtesies typically provided under Federal employment will
be provided to you at each location of course. Additional information will be
forthcoming at the Des Moines plant.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Your quarterly compensation has been doubled. The
Chairman is most pleased with your performance. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug had correctly
assumed that Regent had monitored not only his FDA communications, but also
that of anyone else in the Denver location...so he often used hand-written notes on legal pads or better yet, sticky notes. He couldn’t figure out who authored
this document, however, and what they were up to with this itinerary. Regent could be controlling the
target plants’ operations without outright ownership, and could’ve set up a
situation where his presence would be warranted on some sort of fact-finding
mission, but he couldn’t figure out what could be so important. He was still wondering when the plane
touched down in Des Moines. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mr. Peterson?
Very nice to have you here, sir. I have your vehicle right over here,” a very
pleasant young woman in the Security Service office said. The privatized Security Service handled
transportation coordination for high-profile Federal staff as well as, Doug
had discovered, serving as companion security to that of the long-established Federal
Protective Service. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thanks. Been a
long day,” he said offhandedly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“It’ll be a long
night too—tornado warnings up southwest of here,” the young woman said. “Here are your keys, you should be
cleared at the gate. Do you need a
map?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No thanks, I know
where I’m headed,” he replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Your vehicle is
in the second row, third from the end,” she said. Doug noticed the very dusty
first row of vehicles, obviously they’d not moved for quite some time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What’s up with
those?” he asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Oh. Those were
hybrids. Haven’t worked since the
war. Something to do with one of the onboard computers. The batteries won’t
charge.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Huh. Can’t fix them?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“With what?” the
young woman laughed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Doug drove off in a clean but weathered
Grand Cherokee, and within fifteen minutes, arrived at the Regent plant. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He fished out his
Regent Performance Group I.D. at the gate, surprised by the conciliatory but
superior attitude of the guards, a cursory check of the government vehicle, and
escort to the corporate conference room. He knew none of the employees along
the way, and few of them spoke.
There seemed to be an air of unease in the place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">His new position
in the FDA didn’t allow him unrestricted plant access, even though he was
“former” Regent. The plant manager
barely acknowledged him, and none of the plant workers were people he’d
known—which made him wonder where his trusted staff had been sent.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The office he
formerly occupied now had a new nameplate on the door; the conference room
appeared to be unmolested. An
executive assistant showed Doug to his seat, brought him a chilled Pellegrino,
and left. A moment later, the flat
screen across from him came to life, and Regent Columbus logged on. Kevin Martinez was on the other end of
the videoconference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister Peterson.
Good to see you.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kevin, you as
well,” Doug lied. “Long time since training days.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“And I seriously
doubt that you’ve had any range time lately,” the man in the wheelchair replied
from across the miles. “Wondering why you’re here, no doubt.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No doubt,” Doug
replied, taking a drink from the bottled water. “I don’t recognize anyone here.
Where’d they all go?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“From what I
understand, several were transferred to other Des Moines facilities. At least
two of your associates have passed on,” Martinez replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What? Which…”
Doug started, before Martinez continued on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Dowling, Robert
Arthur. Professional hit outside the wire at your plant. Unusual weapon…captive
bolt gun at the base of the skull.” Having toured slaughterhouses during his
career, Doug was all to familiar with the old fashioned tool they used to use
to destroy the cerebrum of cattle, leaving the brain stem intact for bleeding
during slaughter. Hitting the base of the skull in a human however, was instant
death. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug felt sick to
his stomach. Rob was a good man. “Jesus,” he said to himself, feeling himself
go pale. “Who else?” he said almost in a whisper. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Redmond. Francine
Renee,” Martinez said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What happened to
her?” Doug asked flatly. Martinez didn’t answer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We need to
debrief. That’s why we’re here. You won’t be going back to Denver any time
soon. What you know, we need to know,” Martinez said, leaning forward. “A few
of my people in Des Moines are looking after your vehicle at this time. You’ll find that your compensation for
the past several months will be residing in your vehicle, along with an a
weapons package similar to the one we provided previously—take these along with
you on your fact-finding trip.
Additionally, there are several packages that will be retrieved by other
Regent personnel while you are on your tour. You don’t need to take any action
on those items.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Well, I’m pleased
to be paid,” Doug said sarcastically, trying to regain his destroyed composure.
“What am I being paid with?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Kruggerands, I
would suspect. Smaller
denominations would be silver rounds.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I don’t quite
know what to say, other than thanks,” Doug said quietly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“You’re doing
pretty well financially working for the Federal Government, but it’d be pretty
tough to actually find a place to spend it. Regent’s a bit more practical with regards to portability,
although again, you’ll probably find it difficult to spend at this time.
Questions?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No, not really,
but I would like to be home tonight,” Doug said, leaning back in the chair. He
realized how tired he was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Debrief will
probably delay you to a late departure—I’d advise traveling in daylight.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fair enough,”
Doug replied, almost hiding his irritation. “So, what do you know? I had assumed that Regent monitored all
electronic communications and voice traffic in the Denver operation.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Martinez smiled.
“We do…and much more. It’s more the nuance, the impression, the feeling for
those above you. How they’ll react, what their weak spots are.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Regent has
behavioral scientists for that. Predictive psychologists. Any corporation worth
their salt does,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We do, and ours
are good. There are…anomalies in any intelligence gathering operation that need
to be run to ground. That’s why we’re here.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“What sort of
anomalies?” Doug asked, brow furrowed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> “Decisions made by your superiors that
go against the recommendations of their staff, for one.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug chuckled.
“You ever work for someone that came to the completely wrong conclusion after
being handed all the right data?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sure.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“The Director and
Deputy Director don’t really have any idea of what the FDA does…what its’
responsibilities are. It’s not a stretch to think that they are being
influenced by other Cabinet-level political appointees in a direction other
than what might be predicted; or what might be logical based on data provided to them. They barely grasp the fact that our
food production as a nation is a tiny fraction of what it was a year ago,
because it doesn’t impact them directly in any way. You have any idea what kind
of food we eat out there?” Doug asked, before realizing the answer. “Of course
you do. Sorry. The FDA, and the vast majority of the departments out there,
every single department head for certain, is completely out of touch with
reality. You realize this, don’t you?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“There are things
that Regent can influence, and things that we cannot, at this time. You’re
saying that you think that they’re being influenced by someone else, outside of
their staff, and making the decisions they’re making?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s what I
think. There’s only so much I can
do within the framework I work in. I can’t exactly require the use of Regent
product in certain parts of the country over the objections of my superiors,
especially when they think that the East, being more populated than the West,
needs it more.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug and Martinez’
conference lasted the better part of three hours. Doug provided a handful of
undocumented observations on his superiors as well as several other department
heads and two Cabinet members. Regent would likely find a way to use the
information as leverage. Doug
learned inadvertently through the conversation that Regent was invested heavily
in the revolts in the Northeast, when Martinez mentioned casually of Regent’s
efforts to “distract and destabilize current leadership models.” Doug didn’t react to that statement outwardly, but
was shocked to learn that Regent would do such a thing. A moment later, he
realized that he shouldn’t have been surprised at all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">At the conclusion
of the conference call, one of the Regent executive assistants directed Doug to
a guest suite, not far from his old apartment, and provided him the concierge
menu for room service, implying that he was to stay in his quarters. The armed security guards at the
entry to the production area would prevent any informal tour of the working
floor. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Plainly this was
no longer ‘friendly territory.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Wednesday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">August Thirtieth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Des Moines, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Six a.m. came and
Doug rose quickly, eager to get on the road to Julie. After a hot shower, he
packed, stowed his computer, and one of the Regent staff delivered his
breakfast to his room. He noted
the exceptionally subservient attitude immediately, finally realizing that
aside from the guards, the entire staff was probably co-opted by RNEW. He wondered just what kind of quality
and production levels they were maintaining, with minds as sharp as butter
knives. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">By seven, Doug was
ready to leave, but hoped to get a glimpse of the production workers on First
Shift. He was surprised to learn
that the plant manager had not yet arrived, and that the guards were not
disposed to let Doug enter, despite Federal credentials. Rather than making an
issue of it, he decided to simply enter it in his FDA report, which Regent
would no doubt read before any of his superiors, and see what corrective action
would be taken to put up the appearance of open and honest environments for
inspection by Federal Regulators. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Cherokee was
freshly washed and vacuumed, and the cargo area held the standard FDA road kit
and the rest of the area was filled with boxes with Regent logos. The lot attendant provided Doug
recommended driving routes to his Regent-provided home, and a sealed, unmarked
envelope. In the passenger foot
well, a fairly large backpack was stowed, and an M-4 rifle in a slipcase. He
didn’t bother to open the envelope until he had cleared the facility gates and
found a quiet, abandoned Ameri-Mart parking lot. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“Doug—product in the boxes is Preferred. Noted
that you’d not cashed any of your Regent pay. Payroll is in the satchel in your
car. With the anticipated reval of the dollar, Regent pays E Branch in gold and
silver at the rate of $20/oz gold, $1.40/oz of silver. You ought to be able to
buy anything you want paying with metal. Prices vary widely across the
region—you’ll need to negotiate. Prices in paper are ridiculous—you’d need a
truck to carry this much cash. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>There’s four months’ payroll here, one hundred and
twelve ounces of gold and the remaining fractions in silver. <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Stay sharp. Sorry about your friends.—K.
Martinez.”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the first
time, Doug realized that Martinez might have been responsible for Rob and
Francine’s death. ‘<i>Professional hit,’</i>
he’d said about Rob's death, and no details at all on Francine. </span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What did they know that got them killed?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-13561755015078238512012-09-10T19:34:00.000-07:002012-09-10T19:34:41.895-07:00Distance, Chapter 44<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">44<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Tuesday, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">June Sixth<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Regent Plaza, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Denver, Colorado<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug stood before
the floor-to-ceiling windows looking out through the haze to the Front Range.
From the forty-eighth floor, the layers of smoke stretch out below him as far
as he could see. Uncomfortable in
the tailored shirt, suit and five hundred dollar shoes, he waited for the
Central Region liaison from the Food and Drug Administration. The five hundred
square foot office held one desk, an ‘informal’ seating area, a conference
table, and coffee bar. Doug thought the place a complete waste of real estate.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Within hours of
the attack on the United States, the President implemented a plan for
dispersing key governmental functions to various locations around the nation.
Regent had conveniently made available six floors of the newly remodeled West
Region Headquarters, fully networked and furnished, and just ‘days away from occupancy’. Regent made a point of the concession,
stating humbly that corporate staff would be fine in their ‘temporary quarters’
in the lower floors. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug knew that it
was all a lie—there was nothing ‘temporary’ about the opulent floors below the
thirtieth floor, and there were no obvious signs of any pending move (moving
boxes, inventory tags, etc.) or subtle signs (overflowing garbage and recycling
bins of obsolete files and discards). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He had been
asked…or ordered, as the case may be, to ‘volunteer to serve as a
coordinator of former private sector food and nutrition professionals, serving
as regulatory officers for the Federal Government, reporting to both the
Director and Deputy Directors of the department.’ The idea and need for the position had
been planted in the minds of the Food and Drug Administration Director and
Deputy Director through several Regent covert operatives within the upper
levels of the agency. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Three of the
Regent senior officers, all below the level of the President but just barely,
had met with Doug in a surprise visit to the Des Moines plant on the Tuesday
following Memorial Day. Their tone was pleasant, belying the actual words they
used. Doug thought the least of
one overstuffed chair by the name of A.A. Slocum, who did little of the talking
and seemed the stereotype of the blathering, overbearing and small-minded
executive. The other two, Dale
Salvatore and Tim Holdren, held Vice President titles and feigned admiration
for the fat man, but Doug recognized it as bald-faced intimidation. Slocum was plain-spoken, seemed to know
much more about Doug than he should have, including personal details that he
seemed to enjoy working into a business conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug loathed the
man within thirty seconds of the onset of the meeting, and it took every ounce
of his sales persona to illustrate otherwise. Slocum used information as one would use jagged glass under
the fingernails of someone taped to a chair, casually bringing up his relationship
with Cammie (‘how in the Hell does he know about her?!’), his former wife and her children, and Julie. He did
not mention the Seghers or Julie’s whereabouts, but he might not have known
that she’d handed in her resignation earlier that same day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Corporate had
countered Julie’s resignation letter with an opportunity to work from home on
personnel and human resources issues, vetting of employees for advancement and
things of that nature. She’d ‘regrettably
declined’, due to ‘personal needs and
the need to care for dear friends in the area,’
but would be ‘happy to be of service in the future when her current
obligations were satisfied.’
At that point, Julie dropped off the
grid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Regent
executives left Doug with a scripted outline of his conversation with the FDA
Director, and ‘suggested’ that a meeting by June Sixth would be
‘appropriate’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The executives
from Columbus left in a single-engine business plane, the very same one that
later delivered Doug to Denver.
The type of plane was foreign to him, a Pilatus PC-12, with a crew of
two and a stewardess for the lone passenger—Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arriving through
the haze at Denver International, an airport that Doug was intimately familiar
with, he immediately noticed the dozens of Air Force and Army aircraft where
commercial planes once parked. Concourses B and C were completely dedicated to
military operations, and A Concourse only had a handful of commercial aircraft
at the gates, and they seemed to have been there for quite some time—orange
shields were installed in the engine nacelles, and other areas of the aircraft
were covered with white shrink-wrap or some sort of sprayed-on cover. The
Regent aircraft stopped on the east side of the A Concourse, where the plane
was met by six armed soldiers.
Everyone aboard was searched, the aircraft registration verified, and
then they were escorted into the main terminal. The crew was escorted into a
‘Crew Rest Area’, and Doug headed on alone. The air was thick with the smell of
the largest forest fires in Colorado history, now in their third week. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug nearly didn’t
recognize the airport. First off,
the air conditioning wasn’t working and the open areas under the large
tent-like roof were filled with rows of soldiers in full gear--weapons and all.
None appeared to be wounded, dirty or fresh from a battlefield, so Doug assumed
that they were waiting to ship out to the Mexican Territory. The restaurants that once graced the
common areas of the terminals were not only empty, but stripped to the walls. As Doug passed through the terminal,
escorted by two soldiers now, he saw pallets of bottled water and MRE’s, shrink
wrapped and sitting on pallet jacks. He moved through the terminal too quickly
to see if they were Regent products…he hoped not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The soldiers
escorted Doug wordlessly up the escalator (not working) to the departure/pick
up level. The upper level of the
terminal, once packed with thousands of travelers, held none save Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The East side of
the terminal had a single car waiting at the curb, a black Ford Taurus sedan in
limousine trim. The driver saw
Doug through the windshield and quickly jumped out to help his passenger with
his bag. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry, sir!
Didn’t see your plane come in,” the young driver said. Doug noticed that the
man was walking with a significant limp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“No problem. Came
straight in and right up to the terminal,” Doug said. “War wound?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The young man took
a moment to answer. “Well, not really. Cross-fire in Chicago. I served in three
sand pits for the nation and made it home in one piece. Few years back, election night,
Michigan Avenue, some rat-bastard shot me in the knee because I’m black. Army
wouldn’t take me back even after we got nuked.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Sorry to hear
that,” Doug said, knowing that this wasn’t the only one wounded in the
aftermath of the last Presidential election. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“We’ll be at
Regent Plaza in about twenty minutes, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not much traffic,
huh?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, no sir. None.
With this pass on the mirror here, we can drive up to ninety, no questions….and
there’s a transponder in the car in case someone gets nervous.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Nervous?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Car-bombs, sir.
Anyone approaching any of the Federal facilities without a pass or a
transponder, especially at a high rate of speed…well, lets just say it won’t
end well for them. Applies to State facilities, too.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Hadn’t heard
about that,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Not really
something they broadcast,” the driver said as they pulled onto the deserted
highway. In moments they were
exceeding the posted speed limit. “You haven’t been to a Federal Zone?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Uh, no. I work in
Des Moines,” Doug said, intentionally playing along. Doug caught the drivers’ eye in the rear view mirror. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Fed Zone. Heavy
security, uniformed and plainclothes. If you think you can spot the undercover,
chances are you’re wrong.
Everything is subject to search and seizure at any time. TSA in blue
shirts or jumpsuits. Federal Police in black. Military in camo. Snipers
everywhere. Cameras everywhere. Mikes, too. All access points are heavily
controlled. Anti-ram and
anti-climb barriers all the way around it. Anyone going over that fence gets
shot, no questions asked.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“I may be working
there. Any pointers?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“If you’re working
there, you’re living there. Fed employees billet in the Zone. Hotels, offices
converted to dorms, whatever. Your
quarters depend on how high you are on the pecking order and how much ass you
kiss.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Like I said, I’m
from Iowa. Kind of a different
world I guess,” Doug said, keeping in character. “What about, you know,
shopping and that kind of stuff? If I’m in the Zone, where do people shop?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Shop? No one shops. Feds get supplied. I’ve
seen the trucks. I’ve heard the stuff is…top shelf. Best of the best,” the
driver said, obviously angered. “The rest of us get third-rate.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That doesn’t
seem…right,” he said. “There’s not enough to go around, but that doesn’t mean
that…well, that sort of system is bullshit.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Good luck trying
to make a dent in that system, bud.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Do you mind if I
ask, uh, what it’s like outside the
Zone?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Lots of
gimmedats,” the driver replied in urban slang, almost too quickly for Doug to
hear. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Huh?” Doug
replied honestly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“That’s what we
call them. ‘Give me that.’ Gimmedats. They take what they don’t get
handed. Most of the people still
living within a few miles of the Zone are ‘gimmedats’, living off the Feds. Outside of that, it’s just…thin. Not enough food. Water rationing.
Rotating power outages. And these
damned forest fires are brutal.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Good to his word,
the Taurus pulled into the secured parking garage at One Regent Plaza on time,
even with the screening at the Federal Zone checkpoint. Doug was disheartened to see the
abandoned nature of the Sixteenth Street Mall just outside. The once-vibrant pedestrian mall was
empty, dirty, and littered with debris.
The Rock Steady, Doug’s favorite
classic rock restaurant, was a burned out shell. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Jesus,” Doug said
aloud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Yeah,” his driver
replied. “Not quite like the old
days.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He tried to tip
Eugene, his driver, but the young man told him that it was not allowed…although
on a trip back to the airport, ‘a bottle of Southern Comfort would be
appreciated.’ Doug’s bags were taken by the corporate concierge, and Doug
was escorted through security, and whisked upstairs. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eleven A.M.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">June Sixth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Mister Peterson,
good to meet you. You come highly
recommended,” FDA Undersecretary Mark Sather said, shaking Doug’s hand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">“Thank you very
much, Undersecretary. It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve,” Doug
began. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For ninety
minutes, Doug ran the corporate script, including the sanitized recap of his
recent work at Regent and the introduction of the RNEW food enhancer line into
the commercial and institutional products. Sather asked about the original intent for the product, and
Doug lied right out loud, stating that it had been originally targeted for
limited use in ultra high-end product lines, first to be offered to five-star
restaurants, the thinking being that the enhancement would generate a huge
spike in the restaurant brand during ‘high season’ in the restaurant
industry. ‘With RNEW making
‘average’ food taste ‘better’, when added to ‘exceptional’ food, the results
were of course even more dramatic,’ Doug told
the FDA official, who was nearly salivating at the thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The expense of the
product drove the limited production…it was only through great corporate
sacrifice and capital investment that more
efficient means of production were created, allowing Regent to help the nation recover. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug could
scarcely believe the words from his own mouth. Sather though, bought it hook, line and sinker. After brief introductions to both the
Director and Deputy Director of the Food and Drug Administration, he was shown
his office.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He was in. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s duties as
‘liaison’ included instructions to bring order to the disorder of
private-sector food production, including the nationalization of ‘underutilized
assets’ and ‘strategic elements’ needed for recovery. Once word got out that
the Federal Government would just as soon seize a corporation that in their
view wasn’t working hard enough, production output soared. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many of the seizures
were effected through the financial industry, ‘calling the notes’ on current or
overdue loans, or influencing the various states to enforce payment of overdue
taxes. Once the seizures began,
even before protests could begin, banks immediately fired all employees below
the management level, and then often re-wrote job descriptions and pay scales
to suit the interests of the bank.
The rights of the corporation or the rightful owners of the business had
no play in the agreement between the banks, who’d gladly pay any overdue taxes
to the state, with penalty of course, and the thieves dressed in suits. Federal regulators or courts weren’t
inclined to investigate, which was politispeak for ‘bought off.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> With little or no alternatives but to
put neighbor against neighbor in the job market, most employees took the added
burdens pushed upon them for far less in the way of real compensation. Those
that didn’t found no other options available. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Many of the plants
and factories seized were either run directly by Regent or ordered to operate
under Regent direction. RNEW spread covertly, well before planned introductions
throughout the Northeast and penetrating deep into the South. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Without adequate
raw components however, or more correctly, raw components of a quality
traditionally used in the United States, by mid July it was clear that even
with dramatic reorganization of the industry, starvation was still a real
threat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The shortages
provided the ideal gateway for RNEW to enter in, and Doug encouraged ‘test
markets’ for widespread , overt product introduction, all within the Eastern
half of the U.S. Urban areas were particularly short of reliable food pathways,
so bulk deliveries of plain but nutritionally adequate began to be shipped East
to make up for that which could not be produced locally. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug was six weeks
into his new position before he noticed the push-back of Western U.S. food
producers related to introduction of the RNEW component. He immediately suspected that
information that he himself had provided had indeed made it out into the wild,
and was the reason for not only the suspicion of ‘food modifiers’ but outright
hostility toward any government program that would introduce them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The lines
solidified during July and August, clearly a movement of refusal was spreading
East. Eastern users demanded more RNEW however, and the effects of the
components took hold. Virtually
all public servants, relief centers, schools and universities were using the
spectrum of RNEW enhanced foods and beverages. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Life in Denver
wasn’t Iowa, in any shape, manner, or form. There was no such thing as ‘business casual’, and Doug
forced himself to fit in through attire, sometimes puffed-up mannerisms, and an
overly expensive diet. Although he
preferred to cook many of his own dinner meals, at least five times a week ‘the
department’ bought senior staff dinner at one of the dozen or so ultra-high end
restaurants that continued to thrive, feeding off the Federal credit card. He craved a basic lasagna or a
stroganoff or a hamburger casserole. Federal leadership though, supped on prime
rib, wild salmon, Maine lobster, pheasant and quail, and breakfasted on Eggs
Hemingway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Eugene was
absolutely correct about the security in the Zone. An army of security officers
patrolled building common areas, streets, alleys, restaurants. Going ‘outside the wire’ wasn’t just
discouraged, anyone in the Zone was ordered to stay there for ‘their own
protection.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of the most
difficult things Doug faced was staying in ‘character’ at all times, not
discussing anything to anyone not in his immediate circle and living the person
Regent scripted him to be. Even within his own department, he was certain that
at least two of the twenty or so people were Federal Security, and probably
another was a covert Regent Intelligence employee. Little was said about any of
the men, at least one of whom were always present in the office. The eyes of
his staff told him as much as words would have, with regular office workers
eyeing them, without being obvious about it. Body language also told Doug that no one trusted any of the
three. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug’s apartment,
a block away from the office like many other Federal employees, was more
luxurious than any hotel he’d ever stayed in, arranged quietly by Regent but by
all appearances, paid for by Doug directly. Corporate thought it best that Doug appeared to be a man of
means, so that when someone from the FDA might be invited over for cocktails
and dinner, that the environment was suitable for the impression of a private
citizen dedicated to helping the Recovery, even at his own expense. Doug had
little to do in the way of shopping or housework, as Regent provided both a
service for keeping the kitchen stocked and housekeeping services. Regent also
furnished Doug’s business wardrobe, and a secure link to the Regent computer
network. He was certain of course,
that his apartment was also monitored twenty-four-seven with audio and video. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Doug looked
forward to Sunday evenings, which he always kept for himself. He could cook his
own meals and try to spend some uninterrupted time writing to Julie when not
preparing for the six a.m. start of the office day. Mail service was slow but did get through, sometimes taking
more than a week for letters to arrive.
The civilian phone system was a shambles, and other infrastructure
failures were reported almost daily. Two scheduled return trips ‘home’ were
canceled, one due to severe storms moving up from the south; the second due to
a visit from the President that shut down all outbound traffic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">While Doug was
heavily focused on ‘relief efforts’, he was secretly trying to limit the RNEW
impact through whatever subterfuge he could get away with. It was clear that his proximity to the
Federal Government’s operations in Denver allowed him a unique viewpoint and
listening post. His
immediate superiors, all the way up the food chain to the Director, were
uniformly convinced that centralizing control was necessary to the recovery
effort. </span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Congress continued to
‘interfere’ in the process, ‘slowing down’ progress toward ‘recovery.’ <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One late evening,
after a lavish eight-course meal and numerous bottles of wine, Doug had to
remain in character as conversations steered toward the need for more immediate
action to ‘alleviate the logjam.’
The President, presented as patriotic and inspirational and a team
player, was rumored to be a brooding, ruthless egomaniac. He wished that he and Julie had devised
some sort of code system for their letters, so that he could convey inside
information. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">President Lambert
focused three weeks of speeches in late July and early August to soothing the
anger brewing in the Northeastern states, embers that were fanned by an
outspoken New Jersey senator by the name of Blackburn. She’d been a thorn in
the side of the Federal leadership for sometime now, and was gaining popular
traction with continued collapses in public services an easy way to point out
the utter failure of the Federal government. In July, she began to use the word
secession, and found it receiving growing
approval each time. Her Green
Party backers, along with those who had been ‘disenfranchised,
unemployed by the greedy corporations, lied to by your leaders, and robbed by
those bastards in the banks’ demanded ‘social
and financial justice’…giving her more and more
traction each day. Lambert’s
Executive Order on August first forgiving all corporate debt just added fuel to
Blackburn’s fire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Greens, and
soon thousands of others, demanded that a tax and debt Jubilee be declared,
forgiving all debts and giving all a ‘fresh start.’ Local law enforcement, without the backup of the National
Guard, could do little but watch as banks were systematically mobbed, looted
and burned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The President, in
a heavy-handed manner, called up Regular Army units to suppress the
uprising. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The worn threads
holding the nation together began to tear to the sounds of M-16’s in
Philadelphia. Twenty-six Green
Party members were wounded, twelve killed, in the first fusillade. By the end
of that first day, two hundred and six Americans were dead at the hands of
their countrymen, and the seeds of the New Republic sprouted. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-87672760230114255952012-07-22T21:09:00.000-07:002012-07-22T21:10:06.235-07:00Distance, Chapter 43<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">43<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thursday morning,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">April Twentieth,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Des Moines, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Site-generated
electricity had been restored to parts of the Regent plant after cannibalizing
an adjacent factory of circuit breakers, master switches, and generator
transfer switches. One generator
refused to fire up, despite everything appearing to be in order. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">With power, but
without enough workers and raw materials, the plant remained idle. Worse yet,
it was now a beacon for people within the area. Security forces had their hands full maintaining the plant
perimeter. No one had any idea
what was happening outside of their immediate neighborhoods most of the time;
modern mass communication was non-existent. Ham radios and citizens bands were
filled with rumor, little hard news, and endless conspiracies. Doug found it
all irritating. Julie tried to decipher what she could, and made little
progress. Before the temporary power came on, Doug told Julie that they could
talk freely, in private; but when the power came back on, the chance of
electronic surveillance monitoring their every word would be quite real. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">During his first
day and night back, Doug assigned what staff he had to inventory the plant and
identify any system that appeared to have been damaged in the panic of the
preceding days. Thankfully, there
was disorder, there had been looting, but nothing appeared to be permanently
damaged. In the first hours after the generator had fired up, Doug sat in his
office, trying to deal with an insurmountable problem: How do you bring workers
to the plant when the city…the community, the civilization is crumbling around
them? When they see no point or worse, only see danger? When government was failing?<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The answer came
from government itself. After five
days back at the plant, and on the second day of having power back, a
representative from the Iowa Homeland Security office arrived at the front gate
with an Iowa State Police escort, asking to see the plant manager. Doug fit the bill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Peterson?”
the short, thick man asked, entering Doug’s office. Doug thought he might have
been a wrestler in his younger days.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. May I help
you?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Steve
Stroud. I’m with the Iowa
Department of Emergency Services, here on behalf of Governor Heinrich.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What can we do
for you, Mister Stroud? Please, have a seat. Coffee?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stroud took a
seat. “Real coffee?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, of course,”
Doug said, fetching a large mug. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It’s been months
since I’ve had real coffee,” Stroud said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Costa Rican, that
batch. We’ve got connections. We’re in the biz.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That’s why I’m
here. We have a crisis on our hands.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“A lot of that
going around right now,” Doug said. “We have some serious issues here, too.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We are going to
have people starving in Des Moines and the larger cities in a matter of days,”
Stroud said with necessary gravity. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, we will,”
Doug agreed. “And we can’t do anything about it with what we have on hand and
what we’re in the middle of.”
Doug had nearly resigned himself to the fact that the plant would never
operate again. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m here to try
to help get you what you need. We need this plant back in operation to prevent
this disaster,” Stroud said, leaning forward in his chair as if ready to
spring. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Are you talking
with Freitag? Martin-West? Any of the other plants?” Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You have lights
on and appear to be nearly ready to operate. Freitag is a burned-out shell. Martin-West
was looted and the equipment appears to have been destroyed. Agnew Middleton’s
offices are deserted, the production plant appears to have been secured, but
there are no plant personnel anywhere. State Troopers are on location and are
security at that location at the present.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug was surprised
by the news about the other plants, even more so about ‘A Middie’. The Agnew plant was nearly twice the
size of the Des Moines Regent facility. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK, not good
news. The production loss of those plants is serious,” Doug said. “Losses of
equipment in particular. People can be trained—if I had them to train, that
is.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What do you need
to get this plant operational?” Stroud said, taking a deep drink of coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug paused for a
moment. “In a perfect world, I’d have the original employees recalled and back
on site. I’d have a trucking system that could bring raw materials to the plant
and remove finished goods. I need a dependable water system, which I don’t know
if I have because our lab staff is missing. I’d not have people shooting at my
security people, throwing fire-bombs three blocks away, and I’d have
communications with my corporate network and supply chain,” Doug said,
refilling Stroud’s cup of coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Unfortunately, I
don’t have any of that. I have less than thirty trained employees and seventy
untrained people that actually might be worth something, most bedded down in
our warehouse, which happens to have heat. I’ve assigned my wife to the
personnel, scheduling and administration needs. She would be doing the job of a
dozen people, if we were in operation.
I don’t have a mechanical engineering division, no machinists, no
truckers, and no trucks. No line workers, packers, quality control. I have two days of diesel left in the
tanks, running minimal loads on the one surviving generator. The generator will also need to be
serviced, which means the plant is down because the other generator is dead. I
have no communications with any supplier, none with my corporate offices, none
with my network. Frankly, I have no idea if Regent even exists as it did last
Friday. Do you have any idea?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Stroud didn’t
hesitate in replying. “We’re establishing a new communications system. Rather
unorthodox. We’re using shortwave
radio frequencies to transmit data.
I don’t really understand it, but I know that it’s working,” Stroud
said. “It will be a while before anything like the Internet we used last week
is back up in operation, our information systems staff tells me.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What about radio?
TV? Normal stuff?” Doug said. “People aren’t going to do anything except cradle
a shotgun until they either know that they’re safe in their homes or until
they’re out of shells. At that point, they’ll just club the intruders to death.
I know, because I’ve tried to get some of the employees out of their homes and
back...at no small level of risk for either myself or a dozen security men.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“AM stations—three
of them—will be broadcasting tomorrow. They should have network feeds as well.
Television will be back in a week,” Stroud said, taking another drink of
coffee. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What’s the
Federal government doing to help?” Doug said. “FEMA should have been here by
now.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure they
should’ve been, and they did in fact come. We had six FEMA people arrive on a
fifty million dollar Boeing Business Jet, all ready to help us ‘organize.’ We
received no supplies. They have
their hands full dealing with radiation, burns, evacuations. We’re in great shape by comparison.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Nothing else?”
Doug asked. He was surprised.
Perhaps he shouldn’t have been, he thought.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No. They did ask
for any medical professionals with burn experience to relocate to burn centers
to deal with the victims, and they requisitioned supplies towards that end. The
Governor of course didn’t resist. Right thing to do,” Stroud said. “We sent the
FEMA folks back to where they came from.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug thought for a
minute, looking at the plant floor plan on his desk as he spoke. “In order for
this plant to operate, I need people, power and raw materials. I can’t get
people with the city in turmoil. They need to know that things are settling
down. They need to know that the operation of this plant and others like it
help keep them alive. We need fuel. We need trucks to move the finished
product---even if we’re just moving it to locations in the city for
distribution. If we get those things, we can help Des Moines first and other
cities as we can. We can inspect
the Agnew plant, try to find some of their staff, and get it in operation the
same way. If we can’t get people,
fuel, and raw materials, we’ll never open this plant again. We’ll run out of
finished goods that’re keeping people here—security and staff people have to
eat, too. We run out of fuel and it’s a matter of hours before this plant gets
sacked,” Doug said. “We’re this close,” he said, holding his thumb and
forefinger about an inch apart, “from losing it altogether.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">He and Julie had
already discussed what might happen if the plant couldn’t be supplied, and the
run back to the Segher Farm was anything but a sure thing. The CB radio was filled with people
calling for help, reports of looters, as well as the looters themselves using
the radio to communicate between various gangs. They’d already made plans to leave the plant before
dawn, the day that the fuel tanks in the generators ran dry. Doug had already
secured the RNEW line and several of the key components of the
additive--‘secured’ in this case being ‘destroyed.’ Non-encrypted files had
also been removed from the computer system, and any remaining hardcopies were
in Doug’s desk. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“If you’re
available, Mister Peterson, I’d like to arrange a meeting with some of our
staff at the my office. You available?” Stroud asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. When?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How about
now?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">The meeting with
the Iowa Department of Homeland Security led to a systematic calming effort in
Des Moines triggered by the Governor’s address to the State explained the
situation in a single sentence: </span>Iowa needs your help, or we all fail.<span style="font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug helped get
four major plants back in operation, putting to work more than ten thousand
plant workers; organizing new supply sources; and negotiating leases for
shipping on both ends of production. Security issues near the plant and working into the
downtown area and neighborhoods became much less of a problem, once there was
food back in the stores and money, of a sort. Within a week of the attacks, the State Legislature
had put into effect ‘Iowa Scrip’ in lieu of ‘dollars’, which were neither
trusted nor accepted by many sellers.
Along with the new currency, the State abolished all state and local
taxes of varying rates, and implemented a five percent flat tax on finished
retail goods. For corporations
like Regent, this amounted to a windfall---Regent didn’t produce anything for
direct retail sale, and as such received a huge break on taxation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">It took until the
Fourteenth of May for Regent Corporate to establish regular communications with
the Des Moines operation, by which time the plant was in full operation and
running three shifts. Julie had
continued on in personnel and she helped train the new staff—none of the
previous employees returned. The new staff, coming from across the spectrum of
Des Moines business, worked as a finely tuned team nearly from the start. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Regent brought one
of the corporate aircraft into the Des Moines airport, and unloaded radio
equipment that was exclusive to the use of the company. The equipment could broadcast voice and
data in encrypted and compressed format, hundreds of individual frequencies at
once. Far less capable than the Internet, as communications was limited to the
Regent network, but much more secure and fast than other options. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Corporate had a long,
probing conversation with Doug regarding the lack of RNEW enhancements in
current production in Des Moines.
One of the accountant-types on the other end of the radio transmission
seemed unimpressed with Doug’s explanation that the raw materials just weren’t
available. The bean counters were impressed though, that production had been
increased by sixty-five percent over pre-War levels within a month of plant
re-start. With Doug’s obvious organizational skills in dealing with the
multiple Des Moines plants, Corporate immediately identified him as a candidate
for reassignment in other areas ‘</span>critical to corporate objectives.’<span style="font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">By June Sixth,
he’d be reassigned, but still </span>‘based out of Des Moines.’<span style="font-style: normal;">
Corporate didn’t elaborate on his new duties, but did tell him that the
work involved extensive travel and long-term temporary duties outside of his
base office…that told them all he needed to know. Staying in Des Moines alone, Julie would serve as personnel
director for the four Regent-run operations…or she could quit, move back to
Doug’s company house, or the Farm.
Doug and Julie made a trip down to the Farm for Memorial Day to discuss
their options with the Seghers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Memorial Day<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">May Twenty-Ninth<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Segher Farm<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Staying is not an
option, Douglas,” Arie said.
“Staying in the city…in any city is not a place for a woman alone. But
you know this, ya?” Roeland stayed
silent, leaning forward on the welding table that served as an impromptu
conference table. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. I do not…we,
do not that is, want to be a burden.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Julie is no
burden at all. As for your own home, that I believe is even more tenuous,
despite any assistance that your neighbor may provide you. He is the one on the inside? The one
spying on you?” Roeland asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“August
Kliest—yes, or so I thought. The more
I talk with him the more I believe that he doesn’t trust the company,
either. I just doubt that he knows
the whole picture.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Is of no matter,”
Arie said. “I see no reason not to
tell him that Julie will be staying elsewhere when you are away on business.
You have said they know of us already.
Anyone who is paying attention knows not to be alone these days, or even
in small groups.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I believe August
would agree. I don’t see a problem
on his end,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“But your travel
concerns, you, ya?” Arie asked as Maria entered the equipment shed carrying
travel mugs of tea. Julie was taking a well-deserved nap, having been up most
of the previous evening with a stomach bug. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. I’m
decidedly in the dark on what Corporate is expecting of me. No idea where I’m
going, what I’ll be doing, how long I’ll be gone—but they told me to expect a
minimum of a week. I won’t know anything until I get to Columbus on the Sixth.”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You’ve said that
you see two seats of corporate power—one in Denver, one in Columbus, right?”
Roeland asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Safe bet that
you’re going to be in both of those, and go from there. Outside bet though, especially with the
needs of the Feds in recovery, that you’ll be ‘helping’ them…don’t you think? I
mean, isn’t it still logical for Regent to get their hooks in as deep as they
can on the Federal level to push RNEW?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Doug realized that
Roeland was right, and that Doug was going to be the victim of his own
strategy, one that he himself presented to Corporate more than a month
before. He could be the lead agent
of Regent influencing the Food and Drug Administration regulators either
directly or indirectly—just a </span>‘temporary assignment to help organize,’<span style="font-style: normal;"> he remembered—his own words. He knew that at least twenty
former FDA workers had jumped to Regent in the two years preceding the
collapse, and that most of them had been ‘made available’ by Regent to ‘assist’
the FDA in ‘recovery.’ Despite the disclosure agreements, each of the ‘former’
Regent personnel stood to gain considerably during their time ‘away’ from the
company. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Last I heard the
FDA was still based in Denver. They
were planning to be back in D.C. by September.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Assuming that the
military manages to get the radiation cleaned up,” Roeland replied. “Which is
quite unlikely.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Starting almost
immediately, Arie rounded up as many hands and vehicles as he could to relocate
the majority of Doug and Julie’s things from Doug’s house. Ninety percent of
the food supplies and all of the medicines, vitamins and supplements made the
move. Doug fueled up his company
pickup from the diesel tank, and then filled or topped off all of the Segher
farm trucks. Augie Kliest dropped
in during mid-move. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Doug, how are
you? Been a while,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Pretty busy,
Augie. I’ve been reassigned up the
food chain,” Doug replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“So I’ve
heard. Doubling up?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What’s that?”
Doug asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Doubling up. Moving in with the in-laws. Lot of that going on these days—safer.”
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Pretty much,
yes. Julie will be staying with
the Segher’s. We’ll still keep
most of our stuff here, but things she’ll need more often we’ll move out. Can you keep an eye on the place for
us?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure. Not much else to do—Corporate has been
promising that the network will be back up to full strength any day now, but
that day never seems to come. So
we garden, store up, and watch out.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Thanks. Yes, Corporate is a mess. I caught a ration of crap for going out
on my own to get things up in Des Moines going again, apparently not in the
Regent manner.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Columbus seems to
be run by egomaniacs, fair warning,” Augie said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m probably
going to Denver on assignment; back when I can get here.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Doesn’t
matter. Same mindset: Empire
builders. That is not a compliment.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug didn’t know
what struck him about August’s comments, but in that moment he decided that
Kliest probably didn’t know about RNEW, and wouldn’t approve of it if he did. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“August, you have
no idea,” Doug said, before turning to Roeland. “Roeland, Augie and I are going to have a talk, if you don’t
mind. You OK here?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Ten minutes and
we’ll be done. You can just meet
us back at the Farm when you’re done.
I think your bride is working on her letter of resignation.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Much
appreciated. Thanks, Roel.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“So this is what
Corporate decided was ‘executive level transport?’” Augie said, patting the
dull paint on the half-ton Dodge pickup.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“There’s a little
more to it than meets the eye, Doug replied. “Diesel for one, which wasn’t stock they tell me. The big thing is the body armor.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No,” Augie said
in surprise. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. My Explorer had it too—and I made use
of it, but I guess diesel fuel is more stable over time.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It is at
that. What’s on your mind?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You mentioned
‘empire building’ earlier. You’re
right, you just don’t know how right you are.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">For an hour and a
half Doug and August Kliest talked about every aspect of RNEW. Kliest of course new of the RNEW line,
but not exactly what it was about, its effects, or an end-goal. He took a step
backward when Doug told him of the mental effects on the consumers of the
product, eyes narrowing first in anger, then in resolve. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That explains a
lot. Missing pieces in the puzzle are no longer missing,” Kliest said almost to
himself. “So you’re sticking with
it? After what you just told me?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You ever hear of
Kevin Martinez?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Sadist that
runs the Personal Security Division.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You’ve met,” Doug
replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Once. He seemed to be on a mission to prove
himself better than others with any weapon at hand,” Augie said. “I had to disappoint him. I don’t think he had much use for me
after that.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“He has implied
several times over the past couple months that he is watching every move I
make.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I wouldn’t put it
past him, but physically it’s not possible. Your security feeds are dead at the house; most of the
Corporate network is hopelessly hobbled by communications bottlenecks. You aren’t staying on the inside
because of that piece of work.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No, I’m staying
in because I’m trying to mitigate the damage,” Doug said honestly. “And,
because I think they’ll kill me if I leave. I know too much.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That is almost
certainly correct,” Augie replied. “I take it you’ve found a way to get
information out about this?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, but how do
you know that?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“A) I’m a former
military intelligence officer. B), a dramatic change in sales trend occurred
the third week of April for Regent. Absolutely hit a wall. Discounts aren’t working;
relief supplies have been rejected in favor of other, inferior products—words
from the Sales Division, not from me.
They’re not selling anything in the South and Southwest, nor are they
selling anything in the far West…and that trend is creeping eastward. You
responsible for torpedoing their plans?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“With any luck,
yeah. I might be.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Then you’ve made
the right choice and a difference. Probably not much hope for the East. They’re demanding more every day.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“So I’ve seen.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You know about
the sales trends then?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No. I have not
been privy to that. Nice to hear that, though.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You realize of
course that if I were fully engaged with the company plans that I’d put a
bullet in your head right now, don’t you?” Kliest said, shocking Doug. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes,” Doug
replied. “But I have the feeling that you are not that kind of man.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Trust your
feelings, young man. You may live
longer that way.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5666838233874477863.post-7232325743963045292012-05-24T21:37:00.002-07:002012-05-24T21:37:52.140-07:00Distance, Chapter 42<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:DocumentProperties>
<o:Template>Normal</o:Template>
<o:Revision>0</o:Revision>
<o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime>
<o:Pages>1</o:Pages>
<o:Words>2946</o:Words>
<o:Characters>16797</o:Characters>
<o:Lines>139</o:Lines>
<o:Paragraphs>33</o:Paragraphs>
<o:CharactersWithSpaces>20627</o:CharactersWithSpaces>
<o:Version>11.1539</o:Version>
</o:DocumentProperties>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:DoNotShowRevisions/>
<w:DoNotPrintRevisions/>
<w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>
<w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/>
</w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]-->
<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div align="center" class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0in;">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">42<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="text-indent: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">11:50 a.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Easter Sunday<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Chapel of the Woods, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Elsen Farm<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The small chapel had been
filled with many of the local families for the third and final service of the
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pastor, a lifelong friend
of the Segher’s, had to be well past traditional ‘retirement age’, but Doug
could tell that the man thrived in the environment. He’d met with he and Julie
between the eight-thirty and ten-thirty services for a brief counseling
session. The question of a formal marriage license was dispatched by the local
judge, who wrote up a license legal enough to pass muster on the spot. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;">Doug borrowed a suit from
Peter, who was nearly the same size, and Julie had a choice of dresses, but
chose a simple, timeless blue number that could’ve dated from the Forties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug thought she looked gorgeous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They readied themselves in the small
dressing rooms of the farm chapel, meeting their attendants just as a recorded
version of <i>Trumpet Voluntary</i></span><span style="color: black;"> began as
the wedding processional. Both were surprised to see that not only was the
church full, there were more people attending the wedding than had been in the
last service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Roeland served as
best man; Molly was Julie’s matron of honor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">A few moments later,
Julie stood by Doug; walked down the aisle by her brother. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We are gathered at this
time on this most joyous of days, the day we remember Christ’s resurrection and
victory over death, to celebrate the marriage of Douglas Michael Peterson and
Julia Kristen Forsythe. Despite the tragedies unfolding around our nation and
world, we rejoice in the prospect of this union of this man and this woman, a
reminder to us all that we must look to the future,” the pastor began. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I have not known either
Doug or Julie for long; Julie a bit longer during her stay here with the
Seghers, but Doug just since this morning. Without much in the way of
preparation and due to circumstance, I have been provided the liberty to speak
off the cuff on the topic of marriage,” he said, pulling out a piece of paper.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This is your marriage
license, which I have on good authority will be legal as soon as I sign it,”
Pastor Dietrich said, which garnered a few quiet laughs from the congregants. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“But it’s a piece of
paper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s all…not a
marriage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The marriage is built
over weeks and months and years. It is built through the triumphs and
tragedies, the births, the deaths, the birthdays.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through skinned knees and runny noses. It is built on faith,
and hope and the knowledge that through it all, your spouse will be with you.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;">“Many weddings have
readings from First Corinthians thirteen. Today though, we go to the Gospel of
John, but starting with a verse that seldom is seen as ‘appropriate for a
wedding’, but there are few that could be more appropriate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>John fifteen, verse thirteen: <i>‘No
one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’</i></span><span style="color: black;">”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Because the truth is
this: Chances are very good that that you will never be asked to lay down your
life for your spouse, but you will give yourself up for your spouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Marriage is the gift of yourselves to each
other; not a piece of paper, not a ring. Every day you give yourselves to each
other. That is a marriage.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug and Julie exchanged
their own vows, and with the introduction by the Pastor, shared their first
married kiss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3:40 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What might have been a somber Easter dinner, given
the national circumstance, turned into a more joyful wedding reception,
attended by nearly all of the Segher extended families and a dozen
neighbors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As the last of the neighbors headed home, Julie and
Molly began to pack up Julie’s things for the drive first to Doug’s home, then
to Des Moines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clear,
bright morning had turned to a low overcast, with winds picking up from the
northwest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug felt he was a bit
in the way, and was rescued by Arie. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Douglas, if you’re not on the leash of your bride,
a moment?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Certainly,” he said with a smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They headed out to the wrap-around
front porch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I spoke with some of the men about your company.
Rest assured the word will get out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Expect it to be out within the next week or so. It will not be seen as
coming from here,” Arie said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I never did meet Mister Krusen.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“By design, of course,” Arie said with a sideways
smile. “Things will be difficult now…and for a long time ahead.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah, I’m afraid so.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Des Moines then?” the older man asked, leaning
with both hands on the porch rail, looking west. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Unless by some miracle there is some news at my
home that there is a change in plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My neighbor—he’s Regent as well. He may know something I don’t about what’s
going on in the City,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“If it’s as bad as I expect it could be, you might
not make it there. You realize that of course,” Arie said, turning to Doug with
his piercing eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, of course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll travel carefully.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off of the highways, on back roads where we can.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Still could be...<i>will be</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> dangerous. No telling how people will behave—either
in the towns or the cities…or on the roads.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I understand…but I think it’s smarter for us to at
least leave the farm and get back up to my place. I have no idea how Regent
might react to any of this...if they’re expecting me back after the attack,
whatever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I cannot imagine though,
that they are doing anything but trying to capitalize on the crisis, and that
cannot be done with the plants closed and the systems down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That means that I’m valuable to the
point of having them look for me.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You turn back, the first sign of trouble. You
don’t look back. You understand, Douglas?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Things like this have happened before, just not in
America. I had four uncles who didn’t leave Europe in time to avoid the
troubles. Two talked of leaving and wrote my father, but the tie to the land
was stronger. They were never heard from again…none of them. My uncles, their
wives, sixteen children…all gone to Hitler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This can happen here. It can happen in Iowa. You need to
understand this, ya?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug took Arie’s quiet, forceful words to
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Perhaps for too long he had
thought himself immune to, even above, the problems around him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trip to Wisconsin, the Explorer
being shot up outside of Des Moines, neither hit him as hard has Arie’s
determination to make Doug understand plain facts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Neither the Germans, nor their collaborators in
their occupied countries, had a product like RNEW to make them check their
conscience at the door. Without drug-addled brains, fully aware of what they
were doing and willingly turning a blind eye, they slaughtered millions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">What could happen with those in control of a
population motivated by RNEW, instead of those motivated by a mere Fuhrer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5:30 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4121 Parker Road<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Fairfield, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The rain was just
starting as Doug pulled into his driveway, noting that neither his home nor
Augie Kliest’s had any lights on. The house appeared unmolested.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Welcome home,” Doug said
as he squeezed Julie’s hand. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“A Company home,” she
said skeptically. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Well, yes. That is
true,” he said as they got out of the car. “You ready?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“For what?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Threshold, of course,”
Doug replied with a smile, unlocking the front door, and then returning to the
car. Without giving her the opportunity to protest, he swept his surprised
bride off her feet and carried her inside to her mild protests. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Two hours later, they
unpacked the car. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MainParagraphStyle" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Monday afternoon<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">April Seventeenth,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MainParagraphStyle">
<b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Des Moines, Iowa<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The drive to Des Moines had been chaos, only matched by the roadblocks
in the industrial areas manned by armed guards, all privately employed, with
all Army National Guard units deployed to Mexico. The military staffing
remaining was barely able to man the empty Reserve Centers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug had backtracked the route he’d taken just days before, but the
experience was very different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Like other parts of the Midwest earlier in the year, roads were blocked
off through the use of heavy equipment—farm roads in particular—making them
inaccessible from the main roads. The closer he and Julie were to Des Moines,
the more abandoned cars and refugees they passed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only a few tried to stop them; the remainder looked resigned
to their fate. Doug wondered to himself if they were RNEW consumers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The plant was completely shut down, and only a handful of the day-shift
staff--normally numbering in the hundreds--was present in the building. Regent
Security forces were seemingly fully staffed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Doug had no problem entering the compound with his I.D., and
Julie wasn’t questioned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed
that the security forces were looking for someone in charge, and Doug fit the
bill. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“This doesn’t look good,” Julie said after they entered the production
area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least it was intact.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No, not a bit. Emergency generators are either dead or out of fuel.
Without power, we’re screwed,” he said, flipping a light switch. Even the
battery powered emergency and exit lights were dead. “This way—my office is in
the Administration area.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Francine Redmond’s desk was empty, along with all the others. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What next? Where do you start?” Julie asked. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good question. I don’t exactly know. Won’t be long before we hear, one
way or the other, from Corporate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No idea how that’ll happen though.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You think so?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“I know so. I just do,” he said, holding her hand. “Let’s get to my—to </span>our<span style="font-style: normal;"> apartment. You can get settled in.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Cooking will be interesting,” she said. “Or do you have things on
hand?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I have stuff, don’t worry. Water, too,” he said as he unlocked the
door to the apartment wing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How many apartments here?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Fifteen. Five occupied, or they were last Friday,” Doug said, noting
the empty Information Systems department.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Will you be OK getting settled by yourself?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Of course, as long as you’re coming back,” Julie said, sneaking a
kiss. “It’s not like we have a lot of stuff to bring in from the car. Two or
three trips and I’ll be fine.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Try to keep me away, Missus Peterson,” he said with a smile. “I’m
going to try see who’s here. I’ll be back by six, OK?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner will be a
surprise. How do you want me to cook with power off?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“There’s a two-burner propane camp stove in the utility closet. There’s
a pack of propane canisters on the top shelf.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Your company thinks of everything.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Nope, that was purchased at AmeriMart in Chicago.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I have a forward thinking husband. Good for me,” Julie said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sometimes. Sometimes I’m just lucky,” Doug said as someone entered the
apartment corridor. Julie took the key and opened the door. “See you later,” he
whispered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Peterson? I heard you were back,” Rob Dowling said from the
darkened corridor. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. And married, by the way,” he replied, walking toward Rob.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“You staying here now?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Commandeered an apartment. I can’t get to my place without a good
chance of getting skinned alive. Married? Seriously?”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yep, long time coming, finally did it yesterday.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Some honeymoon,” Rob replied. “She must be very understanding.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“She has been so far.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You brought her here?” Rob asked, quite surprised. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Safer than leaving her alone at our house down south. Strength in
numbers.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure, if you’re not in the center of a target,” Rob replied. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Des Moines isn’t going to get hit,” Doug replied dismissively.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I wasn’t talking about Des Moines. I’m talking about the plant.
Security fired on people last night. And again this morning.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Jesus….” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Not good. Warning shots, this time anyway,” Rob said as they
entered Doug’s office.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked
just as he’d left it. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What happened?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“All hell broke loose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Too
much for the local cops to handle. Stores are stripped bare. Power went down,
about the same time that Huntsville got hit we figured. After that, it’s been a
free-for-all. The Governor instituted martial law after dark. Looters get shot.
Frankly, I’m surprised you made it in.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Never hit a checkpoint that we weren’t waved through,” Doug said,
thinking for a moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Who
do we have on site?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Maybe twenty line workers. Two or three supervisors. That’s it,”
Dowling said. “It’s not like most of the staff live within walking distance,
and with the lock-down, no one’s willing to put their lives on the line for a
job.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Anybody from plant engineering?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“No,” Rob replied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“But I
haven’t exactly scoured the bowels of the place.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Let’s say you go round up a handful of the security folks outside and
do just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want all personnel
in the production training room at three o’clock. We need to assess the plant
and see what we can do about getting the place running.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You know sir, that main power is off line for the whole city, right?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Was at our place, too. There are five diesel generators on this site.
If they weren’t damaged, they should be able to power the plant for a week.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What then?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“We’ll get to that later. If the generators are done, then so are we.
If they’re not, people will want our product. People out </span>there<span style="font-style: normal;">,” Doug pointed to the windows, “</span>need<span style="font-style: normal;"> our product.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Making us too important to loot,” Rob said. “Hopefully.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. That,” Doug said with a grin. “I’m going to try to find the
emergency procedures manual.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Francine’s desk.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You sure?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. She printed about a dozen of the updates last Friday,” Rob said.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Did she know something that we didn’t?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">“I’m sure she knows </span>a lot of things<span style="font-style: normal;">
we don’t know,” Rob said, obviously referring to Francine’s reputation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in;">
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="border: none; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 1.0pt 0in; padding: 0in; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The plant Emergency Operations manual was prefaced on having critical
staff on site to actually implement the plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The creators of the Ops plan had done a thorough job of
creating various scenarios for plant emergencies, from explosions in the
adjacent rail yards to severe winter storms; national emergencies to
tornadoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A half dozen of the
scenarios had large-scale, widespread and long-lasting power disruptions
affecting the region. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">None of the scenarios involved electromagnetic attacks, war on the
North American continent; fallout, radiation or economic collapse. Almost all
assumed that the management and production staffs would actually be present for
a recovery process, rather than running away or staying home either in fear of
what was outside, or fear they’d be attacked in their own city. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Rob Dowling had rounded up fifteen production workers and a half-dozen
security men from the complement of forty-two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Rob’s opinion, half of the security men (no women in the
group at all) could not be trusted, and were likely on site to case the joint
and get first-pickings. They were eyeing everything in the place that wasn’t
nailed down, and half of bolted in fixtures. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good afternoon,” Doug started in the half-darkened room. “For those
that haven’t met me yet, I’m Doug Peterson, plant manager and general corporate
fixit man.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“You’ve got a lot to fix here, mister!” one of the more overweight
security men said, getting a few quiet laughs. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah, so it seems. First off, no news from corporate of course, so
we’re on our own to figure out how to get the plant up and going again,” Doug
said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Do you think that’s possible?” one of the younger line workers asked.
“I mean, I need this job.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’d like to say right off the bat, Hell yes. Honestly I don’t know. I
need people with experience in electrical operations to help figure that out.
Anyone got that in their background?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">One hand went up. “OK—there’s a start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s your background?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I worked as an electrician’s apprentice in residential construction
back when there was residential construction…” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK, See me right after we wrap up here,” Doug said, then heading into
other key production roles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Half
of the people were just line workers, with no experience outside of building
boxes or loading or feeding machines. Doug noticed as he was questioning the
small group that two of the security men were acting suspiciously, looking at
the workers as if they were making lists of their own. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Doug asked the other workers of their specialties, and assigned them to
review their areas for anything that needed repair, replacement or general work
before the line could restart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Those assignments were in fact busy work, but they needed something to
do, and the work would need to be done sooner or later. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Good. Who’s head of plant security?” Doug continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Greg Rollins. Right here,” one of the security men said—Doug was
pleased to see he was not one of the ones that had been eyeing the workers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Can you break any of your men loose for plant operations if needed?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“We can talk about that—my contract with Corporate doesn’t really allow
a lot of latitude in that area,” the man replied. Doug thought he had stated
that for appearance’s sake. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK—good enough. According to the Emergency manual, there are supposed
to be personal supplies for emergency operations in the Personnel and Security
offices. Is that correct?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“If they’re still there, I’ll be surprised, sir,” Rollins replied.
“When things started going south over the weekend, the plant workers helped
themselves.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Please check on that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Lighting in particular—flashlights, batteries, that kind of stuff.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Will do,” Rollins said, looking at one of the men to his left, again
apparently a trustworthy-type. The man nodded without a word. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“All right, that’s all I’ve got for the moment. Plant staff, you’re
welcome to stay here of course for the duration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Completed product is in the cafeteria, along with bottled
water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are a couple of empty
suites that can be used for the night as well. We’ll look further into
longer-term on-site accommodations.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The workers filed out, followed by the suspicious security men. Three
of the more trustworthy types trailed them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rollins stayed behind, along with the electrician’s
apprentice. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I’m Brandon Hackworth. Good to meet you, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Thanks Brandon. You as well. Can you give me five minutes? I need to
speak with Mr. Rollins here for a few,” Doug said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure—no problem.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Great—meet me in the plant engineering office. Three doors down that
hallway on the left,” Doug said. The young man headed down the hallway. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Mister Rollins, you have a couple men there that don’t look altogether
honest.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“They’re cousins of the former plant manager, Mr. Peterson. Not my
hires.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Fire them. Immediately.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That could be more trouble than having them here, sir.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“OK. Your discretion then. But I don’t want them in the plant at all.
No access to product, supplies, or equipment. Is that manageable?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Absolutely. I’ll pair them up with known men and keep them busy.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Excellent. Now, another assignment—this one’ll be off-property. You OK
with that?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just told the
assembly that for the benefit of appearing inflexible. Which I am, for most
audiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What do you need?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I need men—I need the men that operate this plant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re toast without them. I need you to
track them down if they’re still in the area. Even in the outside chance that
we can get the generators working, two dozen people cannot do the job of
hundreds.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“I can give it a shot. Not personally. I’ve got a couple men in touch
with law enforcement. Might be better—safer—taking that route.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That works,” Doug said. “What’s the status of law enforcement in the
city? Martial law I hear? Seriously?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Seriously.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Rob Dowling told me that you had to warn people off overnight. Is that
correct?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yes. Fair sized crowd of urban youth decided that they’d make a go on
the east fence along the rail lines. Directed some fire near enough to make a
point. A couple loners this morning. Fired a little closer that time.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Any issues with the police on either of those?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“None. They don’t have time to look into it or resources to either help
us or stop anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re all that
stands between a plant that might recover or a looted burned out shell.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“What’re the fires north of here?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“It was a liquor distribution warehouse. It was overrun early Sunday
morning. It’s been burning since then.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“How are you getting information? Are you hearing anything from farther
away?” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Shortwave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of our
radios are working, most aren’t,” Rollins said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Fried, we assume. Batteries were good. As far as commercial
bands, there are precious few stations broadcasting. Cell and landlines are
done,” Rollins said. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Making me wonder how we’re supposed to function as a business.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“That’s yours to figure out. E-Branch.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="Italicizedparagraph" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Yeah. Lucky me.” </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Tom Sherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10491833021791731995noreply@blogger.com10