Objective- Freedom

by James Huber

  The election was three months away, so something needed to be finished quickly. Ray, Catherine, and General Hamilton planned a fact-finding tour of the Midwest, accompanied by Secretary of State Kirby and the secretary of agriculture. It was time for the farmers in the Midwest to begin harvesting. Ray wanted to see his ideas at work.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE

  A news report from Washington triggered a meeting of the Coalition government in Fort Worth. They scheduled it to coincide with Coalition Day, but the news that just arrived was too urgent to wait.

  President Robert Curtis refused to endorse a candidate for president in the November elections, which left the contenders scattering in all directions to gather funds. Without an official endorsement from Washington, campaign donations dried up. Most people became cautious before committing large amounts of money.

  Curtis, refusing to rescind his decision, decided to let Ray Green complete his term of office. President Green accepted the decision and continued his day-to-day business. He didn’t know what else to do. He wasn’t a politician and had never been elected.

  Chairman Harris polled the council of governors in the Coalition and was told they wouldn’t take any stance or pay attention to whatever was happening in Washington. The motion passed unanimously. Governor Dupree felt the elections shouldn’t even be covered on the news, but she admitted that would be censorship, and there was enough of that in the United States.

  The presidential party, led by Ray Green, was in Illinois inspecting an irrigation project operating near Gibson City. The cornfields were watered by pipes that led back to a branch of the Kankakee River. The fields were healthy, and the ears of corn were full and lush.

  The farm manager showed Ray the pumps and pipes that were laid on his land. He also showed him the paid bill for running those pipes and the water he used. The manager felt it was a good deal.

  The mayor of Gibson City accompanied the party and praised the president for a program that would save millions of dollars in crops the first year it was used. That, coupled with employment opportunities in the area from making pumps, made the city a boom town.

  The president and Kirby were pleased. The project put people back to work and saved a crop, making it a big success. Some of Ambassador Blakely’s aides took notes and photographs for similar projects to be introduced in Canada and Australia.

  Secretary of State Kirby and General Hamilton were scheduled to meet that night with local politicians to discuss needs and resources available in America’s heartland. President Green knew it had nothing to do with him, so his Secret Service detail contacted Air Force One and told the crew to be ready to fly to DC within three hours. Finishing his Midwest tours, he liked what he saw.

  Kirby and Hamilton could return after they finished. Green planned to meet Lady Catherine at Camp David that night and didn’t want to be late.

  The military communications people on Air Force One had standing orders not to bother the president with any messages short of a national emergency. His staff was supposed to handle everything else. Though the number of staffers in the White House had been reduced, they still worked efficiently.

  After the president landed at Andrews AFB in Maryland, the Marine One helicopter flew him to Camp David.

  Ambassador Blakely went to her embassy in downtown DC to clear up paperwork. When that was done, she flew to Camp David in her own helicopter.

  The president welcomed her to Aspen Lodge. He was the only resident there, so he felt he could open the door as easily as anyone.

  Chairman Harris called the council of governors meeting back to order after an unavoidable delay of almost three hours. Several border incidents came up in Arizona, and Governor Wilson had to handle them before the council could reconvene.

  “Do we have a consensus?” Chairman Harris asked.

  The council members agreed. They would carry on with their own plans and ignore events happening in Washington. They didn’t want to attempt to influence the situation there any more than they wanted to be influenced by a foreign country.

  Elliott Randal pressed for a minor statement on the upcoming election. He thought it would be diplomatic to at least say they had no comment. When no one agreed, he dropped the subject. Feelings against the United States still ran high.

  The council decided to continue preparations for the November celebrations in Fort Worth. There being no further business, the council adjourned, and General Polk and Ambassador Randall had their regular post council meeting.

  November would come soon. The general election in the US made a few headlines around the world but not many. British papers barely mentioned it. The only ones in England that covered it were the supermarket tabloids, but only in fun. No one really believed the Democratic candidate was the reincarnation of JFK. Some felt the Republican candidate had the charisma and charm of Calvin Coolidge, so there were rumors about Coolidge’s DNA being cloned, but few believed them.

  The usual group of independents running for president were ignored by all the papers, including those in the United States.

  Few newspapers had any articles about the election. Voting seemed to be a choice between “Who cares?” and “Who’s he?” Fortunately, the American people still could make up their own minds, which they would in November.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  John Ron Gibbons was inspecting progress on the replanted flower gardens around the capitol in Fort Worth when he saw two men eating lunch. He realized those two hard workers had only meager sandwiches to eat.

  John Ron wasn’t willing to abide that. He walked up to Julio and Abas and spoke to them. Abas, suddenly nervous, said little. Julio was intimidated at first, then he felt angry with himself for it.

  He knew better than to show anger to his boss. John Ron introduced himself and tried to make small talk, but it didn’t work. He managed to confirm the men weren’t eating well and decided to change that.

  After he left the conversation, John Ron had his administrative assistant call a catering company John Ron owned and order lunch to be served to all workers on the capitol until the work was finished. John Ron felt that was the least he could do, since he couldn’t seem to converse with the men.

  Julio felt ashamed for not talking, but he didn’t know what to say and felt embarrassed. Abas kept quiet to hide his accent. He didn’t realize John Ron didn’t notice things like that. If he had, he would have assumed Abas was Hispanic.

  After John Ron left, Abas said, “That rich fat man made himself feel better by coming over and talking to his dirty workers. I hope he sleeps better now. He’s building an empire on our backs and keeping us in poverty.”

  Julio, thinking that over without replying, felt conflicted. He didn’t like the fact that his career hadn’t advanced, but he slowly realized it was his own fault. He recalled John Ron’s promise to bring them food every day.

  Talk about a new revolution bothered him, too. He wanted to know what the revolutionaries would replace the current government with, but no one had an answer. As bad as Julio’s life seemed, he was glad he didn’t have to live in Lebanon or Syria.

  Julio knew when to keep his mouth shut, as he did with Abas. He had no counter argument and went along to avoid making trouble. He wasn’t fully convinced he was downtrodden, and he was getting tired of Abas’ constant complaints.

  “I’m tired of listening to you complain about everything,” Julio said. “Can’t you say anything good? If not, maybe you should live in some Arab country and see how enjoyable it is. Leave me out of your revolutionary talk.”

  Abas was stunned. His mission was to subvert people, yet he failed with a common worker. If he couldn’t do with this person, how could he hope to succeed and further the prophet’s word? Surely his cause was just. The new nation was an extension of the Great Satan of the United States. With its inexperience and recent history of revolution, the Ayatollah assured him it would be easy prey. Abas didn’t doubt the Ayatollah, but he fell into a trap that caught m
any revolutionaries, He began to doubt himself. He would take solace in prayer at the mosque that evening.

  Julio had an Army Reserve meeting that night, so the two men couldn’t meet. He was glad. He was tired of Abas constantly talking to him about social issues.

  At the reserve meeting, the colonel asked for squad leaders to volunteer for activation to the full-time army for the duration of the celebrations and the following month. They could supervise cleanup and help restore order to the capital.

  Julio was the first to volunteer. He’d make more money as a regular soldier than as a laborer, and he’d get away from Abas.

  His company commander called him in for a counseling session. “I’ve been reviewing your records, and I don’t see why you haven’t been promoted. The main problem I see is your lack of ambition, but that might not be necessary in a sergeant. Since Staff Sergeant Williams asked to be removed, I have an opening.”

  The commander had the authority to make temporary promotions, so Julio immediately became a staff sergeant. He promised himself he’d do a good job and quit complaining. Julio saluted, did an about-face, and marched out to meet his squad of good, fit, eager men and women. They respected Williams, but they admired the way Julio carried himself. He seemed proud of his uniform, even if the new stripes weren’t permanently attached.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

  The dates for Coalition Day in November had to be delayed for three months when a late-season tropical storm swept in, flooding most of Fort Worth. Several tornadoes struck near the capitol building. Governor Harris activated the guard and reserves to help clean up and restore the grounds, and assist with flood drainage.

  Staff Sergeant Julio Rincon led his squad rebuilding streets

  destroyed in the flooding. His experience in construction was limited, but he learned fast. His new attitude showed he didn’t need to be an engineer. He just needed to lead his men. Others noticed and were glad to see he proved himself.

  The US elections were anticlimactic. Turnout was below 45%. It seemed the old ways were back, and the nation reverted to its previous lethargy.

  Ray Green requested an implementation of the 25th Amendment. He could still do the job, but he didn’t want to. He wanted a new life and to put politics behind him.

  The speaker of the house refused to open the matter up for debate, so it died in conference. Ray would be president until January, when the newly elected president would be sworn in. He refused to sign any new bills, nor would he exercise his right, as a departing president, to issue any pardons. He felt his future was clear until he received a call from Bethesda.

  President Green, General Hamilton, Secretary of State Kirby, Attorney General Tremont, and the chief justice of the Supreme Court arrived at Bethesda Hospital in separate cars and quickly went to President Curtis’s suite.

  The Secret Service cleared all members into the suite. They were amazed to see Robert Curtis standing, dressed in a dark pinstriped suit, glowing with health.

  The previous week, unknown to anyone, his doctors declared him fit to return to his duties. The only ones who knew the truth were the speaker of the house and the president pro tem of the Senate, who agreed that Curtis could return.

  Ray Green was taken by surprise, but he was delighted. Curtis once told him he wouldn’t return to office, so Ray superbly took an office he didn’t want and wasn’t elected to. Ray was proud he did his duty but glad to be out.

  Ray met Lady Catherine at the entrance to the waiting room, where she hugged, kissed, and congratulated him.

  “How’d you know about this?” Ray asked.

  “Hush, hush. State secrets, you know.”

  It didn't matter. President Ray Green had become General Raymond Green, US Army, retired. He felt Ambassador Blakely bore closer watching and decided to mention that to her that evening.

  The speaker of the house told Ray, “Mr. President, you are relieved. Carry on, General Green.”

  President Curtis took medals from an aide’s briefcase and presented Ray with the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Distinguished Service Medal for his years of military service.

  “Ray, I wish we could do more in return for what you did for our country during several wars and through the darkest days since the Civil War,” President Curtis said.

  “Retirement and future privacy will be sufficient reward for me, Sir,” Ray replied.

  The president, a former US Air Force officer, stepped back, saluted, and said, “General Green, you are relieved.”

  A major chapter in US history ended.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

  Staff Sergeant Rincon met with Major Carmen Woodward and the newly promoted Brigadier General Scott Roberts. Major Woodward was assigning posts for various units to guard during the upcoming parade through Fort Worth’s downtown. Julio’s squad would watch the lower traffic from the overpass of 35W and Interstate 20, which gave them a long viewing distance. If they saw trouble, they would have time to radio headquarters.

  Julio saluted and went to order his squad into their truck and station them on the overpass. Major Woodward and General Roberts continued east to make other assignments.

  Julio assessed the area and decided the on ramps were the best place to set up a guard post for the interchange. He would be looking northwest to watch the parade for the greatest distance.

  Since his promotion and assignment to active status, Julio saw things from a different point of view. No longer was he a downtrodden, unappreciated peon. He was a leader, and the job suited him.

  The parade began and moved slowly over Interstate 20 heading west. Julio studied the guard positions when General Roberts arrived in his Jeep. Julio greeted the general and showed him the disposition of the rifle squads. General Roberts approved and stared into the distance at the motorcycles escorting the VIPs.

  Julio, checking his men again, Julio saw one who seemed out of uniform. He finished his head count just as the motorcycle escort passed. He had one too many soldiers.

  He warned the general. Both men drew their sidearms and

  moved down the gentle embankment of the overpass. When they came close enough, Julio recognized his old friend, Abas. He and General Roberts moved in fast.

  Abas felt he could cripple the coalition if he could kill the chairman. His Middle Eastern way of thinking took over, similar to the terrorist attack on 9/11, when those who hijacked the airplanes truly believed if they destroyed a symbol of power, the power behind it would collapse.

  Abas made his peace with God and stood just as Chairman Harris’ open car drove past. He raised his rifle and shouted, “Allah Akbar!”

  He barely uttered those words when something touched his head.

  “If your finger comes near that trigger,” General Roberts said, “the next thing that goes through your mind will be 200 grains of lead.”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

  Lady Catherine arrived home early that Saturday afternoon.

  When she came into the house, her housekeeper greeted her. “General Green is on the patio in the rear garden,” she said.

  Catherine was pleased that Ray felt able to relax. Southern exposure made the garden a nice place to sit. The early afternoon sun was warm and welcome after a long winter.

  Catherine placed her letter case in her office and checked

  her mail. She frowned at a few letters but let the rest wait. Walking to the garden, she saw General Ray Green sprawled on a chaise longue. It was very undignified, but he and his silly dog didn’t care.

  Catherine swatted away the dog with her newspaper. The dog snarled softly before curling up on the sun-warmed bricks.

  Ray looked up at the face he loved.

  Catherine smiled. “How was your day? What do you think of the news?”

  “I haven’t heard any news all day.”

  “You’re hopeless.”

  “I tried to tell him, Ma’am,” Ray’s security guard said.

  “If you two are going to gang up on me, I gues
s I’d better listen to what you’re having trouble with,” Ray said. “Go ahead if you think it’s important enough to disturb me and my dog.”

  “Read this, or should I read it for you?”

  Ray relented, getting up and putting on his reading glasses. It was a story about an incident in Fort Worth, Texas, during the Coalition Day celebration. People put in an outstanding effort to clean up the capitol after torrential rain and wind. The day of the parade was sunny without being too hot.

  The Coalition provided security for the Chairman, council of governors, and visiting dignitaries. Brigadier General Scott Roberts, the commanding officer of the Texas Rangers, was checking his troops when he and Master Sergeant (brevetted) Julio Rincon neutralized a foreign national who attempted to assassinate the chairman.

  In an interview, General Roberts praised Sergeant Rincon on his command decision, alertness, and knowledge of his squad members. After the incident, General Roberts reported to General Polk, Commander of the Coalition Defense Force, who immediately promoted Julio Rincon to master sergeant, awaiting the chairman’s approval. Sergeant Rincon served in the reserve for many years and showed significant advances in his career. He would assume a leadership role at the capitol in the spring, where he would be joined by his wife of twenty five years, Chalina, and their two sons, Julio and Marco.

  General Roberts related that the assassin gave himself away when he shouted a Moslem war cry. When the general ordered him to put down his gun, the terrorist aimed at the parade.

  The man, Abas, was an employee of John Ron Construction and was a Jordanian immigrant. That was verified by the Jordanian embassy in Fort Worth, though the Jordanian ambassador denied any connection to the would-be assassin.