by James Huber
“The foreign minister wants to start talks to recognize the Southwest Coalition. He requested that I visit Elliott Randall and Kyle Harris. He wants to hear their feelings about establishing diplomatic relations. I don’t feel that’s right. They’re rebels, and they hurt a great country by breaking away. Because of them, the US was attacked, and many cities have burned. Lives have been lost. Oh, Ray, I don’t know what to do.”
She sounded almost in tears, not the usual reaction of someone in her position.
Ray was caught off guard. His experience wasn’t in affairs of the heart. He handled many problems in the past and would handle the current one, too, so he decided to play for time.
“Catherine, your first loyalty is to your queen and country. You stated this is just a visit to arrange talks, so go ahead. Did the minister give instructions to establish a mission or embassy?”
“No, he didn’t. He asked me to speak to them and see what terms might be possible or what mutual pacts could be arranged.”
He thought for a moment. “I’d like to have you and your staff for dinner at the White House for an informal working session as soon as you’ve got time.”
“Friday evening would be perfect. I’ll bring the proposal with me. Mr. Kirby should be there to help advise us.”
“All right. Friday it is, then.”
“I look forward to spending more quiet time with you.” Feeling flustered, he said, “And I with you.”
They said good-bye and ended the call.
That gives me at least one pleasant thing to look forward to this week, Ray thought.
Catherine sent a message to the Southwest Coalition stating she would arrive the following Tuesday to meet Chairman Harris and Ambassador Elliott Randall. She expected to be in Fort Worth by nine o’clock AM Central Standard Time.
She still felt uneasy about the meeting, but she didn’t want to bother Ray any more. He was busy enough with his new administration. She would meet him Friday and see what happened.
Ray was pleased Catherine came to him for advice. He gave the best advice he could and planned to see the situation through. He wanted it to work out, though he had mixed feelings about relations with the Southwest Coalition.
The problem he faced was the result of seventy years of giveaways, indolence, and sharing the wealth. His constant concern was how to reverse the process. He wanted a formula to put everyday Americans back to work. The programs he initiated were starting to take effect in the bigger cities. The welfare kings and queens finally understood there was no more money. The unaffiliated reverends who ran for cover after the attack on Fort Leonard Wood failed. He began to feel hopeful.
Winter was fast approaching, and it looked to be a bad one. He set up survival villages in major cities with food and supplies to help those who needed it. If the winter proved too severe, he would
call the National Guard out to provide assistance. It would last only as long as needed and wasn’t intended to be a long-term solution.
Some of the southern states in the Union saw an influx of people from the north, trying to escape the horrible winters and anarchy taking over certain cities. Detroit would never be the same. Thanks to better weather and a strong mayor and governor, St. Louis was making a comeback.
The influx provided one bonus for the southern states—a growth in willing labor. Many people came with skills and the ability to produce. If they could instill those ethics in others, it might help rebuild the ravaged nation.
President Green called for a meeting with the secretary of commerce. He wanted to visit some of the work sites and show how much the government appreciated the work being done.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Abas, an agent of the ayatollah, secured a position in the Jordanian embassy in Fort Worth. Since it was a make-work job, if he didn’t show up, no one cared. He planned to bribe officials of the Coalition and plant false stories about the American government. He needed to keep the United States from reuniting. Reunification under President Green might mean the end of the ayatollah and would set back their undeclared jihad for years. Ron Sutherland, their unwitting accomplice, did much for them, but there was more to do.
Abas was also to report on developments within the Coalition and keep his masters informed. If America sent out inquiries about reunification, Abas would need to release propaganda as well as bribes.
Another charge was to watch the pipeline through Idaho and Utah to British Columbia. If the forecasts were right, that might lower North America’s dependence on foreign oil. His days would be full, and he welcomed them as a free pass over heaven’s bridge. If he could create chaos and confusion, he would have done his part.
He was also an expert at duplication and forgery. He quickly obtained a job as a construction foreman in Fort Worth. His credentials were impeccable, and his new military service record showed he was a combat-tested veteran. The construction company was pleased to hire him.
CHAPTER FORTY
When the meeting began, John Raven saw that the ambassador from England wasn’t very receptive to recognizing the new nation. He wasn’t sure why, but he assumed it had something to do with Ray Green and the ambassador’s being a society-page item.
Catherine quickly picked up on Raven’s reluctance to interact with her. She was a step ahead of him, though, and would deal with that later.
She was interested in what the Coalition might do for England and how to balance that against her country’s interest in the United States. If she couldn’t be convinced of a real benefit, she would have to tell the foreign minister she couldn’t support it. If she must go against the US to do that, Great Britain would not consider recognition.
Most of the information would arise in meetings she planned to attend for several days. She liked the people she met and wanted to cooperate, but she wouldn’t compromise principles long established between England and the US.
Her first meeting was with Governor Espada, who wasn’t a foreign-affairs person. She had no experts on her staff and felt the same way Catherine did. New Mexico had nothing to offer, as did England. She didn’t want to antagonize the US against either power.
Governor Tate from Colorado felt the same way. He wanted to know what his state would gain from an English alliance. If he didn’t see a clear good for Colorado, he wasn’t interested.
Lady Catherine agreed. If nothing would be gained for England, what use would an alliance be? That was the theme for several of the other states. Arkansas couldn’t present anything to offer, and the governor was almost hostile about England. It seemed he hadn’t gotten over the Revolutionary War.
Kansas was receptive but wanted to consider the matter further.
She saved the favorable allies for the following day. She went to the barbecue hosted by the Coalition and enjoyed herself. The musicians were enjoyable, and she was amazed at the young people’s talent. Somehow, during the evening, she felt eyes on her. She turned a few times and caught Governors Raven and Wilson looking away quickly. She didn’t dwell on it, but she decided to take precautions.
When the evening drew to a close, she asked one of her female bodyguards to keep a close eye on her room that night. The guard understood and remained awake throughout the night, but Catherine still felt uneasy.
When meetings began the following day, the Idaho governor said he would like Her Majesty’s government help them work with British Columbia to speed up the process of getting oil to the pipeline being built in his state. He felt British Columbia would benefit greatly from the income.
Catherine agreed, and they had a friendly parting. The governor of Utah said almost the same thing. Utah had a large Air Force base that could be used by Canadians and the British, giving them a stronghold in North America. That sounded good, too.
That left Louisiana, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Catherine dreaded meeting the governors of the last two for different reasons.
She told her personal bodyguard to stay close. “What should I look for?” the guard
asked.
“I’m not sure. I just have an odd feeling. I don’t think Governor Dupree is part of it, but I want you close by for Wilson and Raven.”
“As you wish, Madam.” The female guard stepped back to the wall.
Governor Annette Dupree was charming and offered the use
of Navy and Air Force bases in Louisiana, along with a crop of cotton fibers and various seafood that could be shipped to Englandregularly.
All she asked in return was an alliance with Great Britain.
Governor Dupree wasn’t an expert on foreign affairs, but Catherine was delighted to speak with her and lingered awhile.
When Governor Dupree departed, Catherine told her guard to bring in Governor Matt Wilson of Arizona.
He had good cowboy looks. His dark complexion came from working outside and spending many days under a sun lamp, his skin covered in tanning cream. He dressed like a gentleman cowboy.
He had nothing to offer but talk. He was good at conversation, but that wasn’t much inducement for England to recognize his state. Her hesitation came from knowing he was a lady’s man. When she gracefully rebuffed him, he backed off.
“Right nice to meet you, Ma’am,” he said as he left. “If you’re ever out to the spread, let me know, and I’ll show you round the bunkhouse.”
He closed the door just before Catherine and her guard began laughing.
Finally, it was time for John Raven’s visit. He was openly hostile. He felt he should have hosted the meeting, not her. He offered her little response when she asked why Great Britain should ally itself with the Coalition.
Finally, he burst out, “What happened, Lady? Did you get tired of old Ray? Come down here looking for something new?
That traitor turned on his own state. I don’t want anything to do with him or his ambassador. Pass that on, and I bid you adieu.”
It was the final letdown for Catherine. She knew it was time to leave. She had enough diplomacy for one day. If she saw any more cowboys walk in, she considered telling her guard to shoot them.
She was driven to the airport in an unmarked car, where she and her entourage departed to board a plane like any other traveler.
Four hours later, she landed in Dulles Airport and would soon be back at her embassy. She could call the foreign minister and tell him the whole thing was a terrible idea. The Coalition states offered nothing but animosity and hatred of outsiders.
The governors met with the chairman that evening and returned to their separate capitols the following day. Catherine’s visit was wasted, and they knew it. Ambassador Randall said as much, adding they should back off and see how their current alliances went.
That night on his way back to his hotel room, Governor Raven felt a headache. He asked his driver for a drink and some aspirin.
The driver wasn’t fast enough, but it wasn’t a headache. John Raven suffered a cerebral hemorrhage. He was sixty-three when he was stuck down, the same age as one of the great figures of history, Franklin D. Roosevelt.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
The Southwest Coalition of States mourned the loss of one of its founders. Governor Raven lay in state in the rotunda of the new capitol in Fort Worth. Flags were covered in black bunting.
People filed through all day to pay their respects to a pioneer. Like many revolutionary figures, he had his detractors, but they respectfully remained quiet, saving their politics for another day.
Chairman Harris announced that in accordance with their new constitution, an election would be held in Oklahoma in twenty-one days.
President Green offered to send a funeral delegation to the services, but his request was refused by unanimous vote. That sounded petty to some, but it was something the leaders of the Coalition felt necessary to show their contempt for Washington. Some did, but not all governors were in that group. Tate and Norton felt some an
accommodation should be made in circumstances like those.
Utah didn’t bear a grudge against the United States. Members of that state wanted to avoid the coming tax increases and levies. They believed the US was in serious financial trouble, and they didn’t want to help bail it out.
Governor Raven’s funeral was the first national function for the fledgling country. The ceremony was quiet and dignified. The governors were honorary pallbearers, while a military band played dirges as the funeral parade moved toward the Oklahoma Veterans Cemetery.
When the final words were said, and the flag was removed from the coffin, Lieutenant Carmen Woodward, commander of the funeral detail, folded the flag and walked to Mrs. Raven.
She knelt on one knee and said, “On behalf of the chairman of the Southwest Coalition of States, the National Defense Force, and a grateful nation, we give this well-earned flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service.”
Lieutenant Woodward stood and saluted Mrs. Raven as the firing squad gave a twenty-one-gun salute. Mrs. Raven, accepting the flag with dignity, smiled at the young officer.
Lieutenant Woodward hoped she never had to do such duty again. She was a professional, competent officer, but she was also a very caring person.
When the graveside service ended, Lieutenant Woodward met with Colonel Roberts to ensure the security of the other governors.
The council met to swear in the new governor of Oklahoma.
A prayer began the new term, and the council adjourned for a period of mourning.
Lieutenant Woodward escorted Mrs. Raven to the governor’s mansion, while Colonel Roberts’ detail escorted the other governors
to their individual transportation. Roberts hoped he would meet Lieutenant Woodward again and mentioned it to Adjutant General Polk.
Relieved, Polk worried Scott would go through life as a bachelor, completely dedicated to his work. He saw such things happen often in law enforcement. Polk filed away Scott’s comment in his mind and wondered how to get the Oklahoma delegation together again sometime so the young couple could meet again.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
President Green had more to be concerned about than being snubbed by rebels. The governments of Canada and Mexico both sent emissaries to Secretary of State Kirby. After their meetings, Kirby called the president to ask for an immediate appointment.
The news he carried could be potentially more damaging than the rebellion.
Arturo Prieto, the Mexican ambassador, and Abner Coleman, the Canadian ambassador, left the secretary of state’s office without accomplishing anything other than hearing the man complain. Abner was tired of being called the American Wannabe. Finally, it was his turn.
He and Art, friends for years, were totally disillusioned with the United States. The country brought the trouble down on itself and didn’t seem to have the ability to do anything about it.
Prieto wanted to maintain relations with the US and the Coalition, but Kirby told him it had to be one or the other.
Coleman, however, felt that Kirby had been more conciliatory toward Canada.
Both men knew they had to consult with their governments, but they also knew they were at an impasse and couldn’t accomplish anything. Neither was predisposed to break off relations with either country. They had already opened negotiations with the Coalition, and they finished their partial negotiation with the US.
Prieto and Coleman had a late meeting after consulting with their foreign secretaries. They hadn’t yet decided to withdraw
recognition of the US and to change their alliance to the Coalition, but the US was broke, and it would soon ask either or both of their countries to help. Neither could afford it. The Coalition had no money to spare, either, though it was doubtful it would ask for help.
The overriding issue was the shared borders. With the threat of a series of border wars erupting, the ambassadors had to take steps to avert them.
“My country has the most to gain by an alliance with the Coalition,” Prieto said. “We border most of their states, which offers good opportunities for
trade and commerce.
“We could easily create more-open borders, especially if we have official recognition of the Coalition. If not, we might face hostilities from petty warlords and drug gangs along the border.
“There are times I wish I stayed a corporate lawyer in Mazatlán. Life was simple compared to the problems I face now.”
Ambassador Coleman sighed in resignation.“Arturo, let’s open up a law office, hire some qualified paralegals and administrative specialists, and enjoy our last years. I don’t play golf, but I know some good fishing holes.” Prieto asked, “Where, when, and how?”
The men laughed. Their aides, standing outside the room, thought the old men had lost their minds, but they were the only sane people in those turbulent days.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Secretary of State Kirby was admitted directly to the Oval Office, where President Green waited for him with mixed feelings. He didn’t know if the meeting with the two ambassadors was good or bad, but, when Kirby walked it, he had his answer.
“I believe we’ve lost our alliance with Canada and Mexico,” Kirby announced. “I can safely say, and this is my studied opinion, we had nothing to lose with Mexico. They’ve become dependent on us, and we both know the country has enough trouble on its own. They’re closer to the Southwest Coalition, anyway.”
“That’s true. We share only a few miles of border with them now, along southern California. The rest is firmly aligned with the Coalition.”