by Eric Gurr
Are you going to join the fight in opposition to the Muslims? I just want to understand what it is you’re fighting for.”
“To be honest with you Admiral Shock, it’s kind of evolved. We did fight to take Indianapolis back. When we saw what the resistance had done there, and when we saw that the politicians had abandoned their posts, we went to help in Cincinnati. Then it just kind of grew from there.”
“I understand that General Hartwick. But what is your end goal? What issues are you fighting for?”
“Sir that’s evolving as well. It’s just in the last few weeks that we realized we may be victorious and we’ve started to document what we want.
To put it in its simplest terms, we want it to be the way it used to be. And that’s not nostalgia and it’s not racism.
We just want the country like it was when our dads grew up. Where a man could get a decent job. Pay for a house and pay for college for a kid or two. And if a kid didn’t want to go to college, if a kid wanted to work with his hands, well that was okay too. He could still afford to raise a family.
And you’d be surprised Admiral, but a lot of the women who support us feel the same way. They don’t want to be looked down on for raising kids and staying home. But too often they can’t afford that. So they have to work.”
“How do you think you can get there?” Admiral Shock asked.
“We think things were better when we didn’t let so many people in the country. Our plan would stop immigration for a generation or two. We think there should be tariffs to protect jobs. We think the government should either fix healthcare, or get out of it. We think there should be a balanced budget amendment and a cap on income taxes.
But we’re not just pro-business either. We don’t think a corporation in a social media business or manufacturing should be able to control information.
A news network should be owned by the company that owns only news channels. That way they have to make a profit in that business. They can’t use the business to spread propaganda. If someone owns a platform that is free to post on, they can’t censor the content.
I don’t know it all. Like I said we’re putting it together and some of it we debate. But essentially we want freedom, and not a security blanket, but a little security that we can get decent jobs.”
Then Admiral said nothing for a long time. “That sounds fairly reasonable.”
“Well, thank you.” Hartwick answered.
“Hartwick?”
“Yes Admiral.”
“Don’t try to take Detroit. I’m not going to send troops, but I will give you some information. Our satellites show they have a lot of soldiers in there. There are nearly a million men willing to fight.
The blacks and the Muslims aren’t fighting against each other in there. Not yet at least. Don’t go in there right now. You should have some success pushing in and closing around the loops. But you’re going to have to let food in and leave them alone. You can’t beat them with what you have now.”
“Thank you Admiral. I’ll take it under advisement.”
“Hartwick don’t do it. It will be a disaster. It’s twenty times at least what the rebels had. And they have more guns, bombs and other weapons. Promise me you’ll wait until you hear from me again. And it could be months.”
“I promise you I’ll do my absolute best sir.” Hartwick said.
“There’s one other thing. The politicians here in D.C. aren’t going to get it figured out. They aren’t going to come to some compromise. At least I don’t believe they will.
What that means for you General Hartwick is this. You need to plan for victory. The biggest mistake politicians make during war is failing to prepare for the victory.
Don’t make that mistake. Start thinking about it. It may take you a few years. It may happen in months.
The resistance may grow and you could lose. But I doubt it. We’ve run simulations like this for years. There are very few paths for the left to win. Without the armed forces, hell even with them, there are very few paths for the establishment to hold Washington D.C., much less the entire nation.
You’re closer than you think. But it won’t be easy. Prepare for victory.”
“I’ll do that sir.” Hartwick said.
“General Hartwick, you’ll hear from me again, I promise. And God speed General.”
“Thank you sir.”
“What did he want?” Evans said.
“He said don’t attack Detroit, we can’t win. He said we should push into 270 and just hold that. He also said we had to let food in or it would get worse.”
“How does he know that?”
“He said they had satellite surveillance. He also said…”
His phone buzzed again. It was a 202 number from D.C. again. But the number was different.
“General Hartwick speaking.”
“General it’s the admiral again. That first call was official and that number is good if you ever need to call me. But the call will be monitored. So just say something innocuous or ask me for an update on surveillance and I’ll call you back on another phone. This phone is a one-off disposable. And this is off the record.
Something is brewing in D.C. I don’t know what, and I don’t think anyone does. But there is a big change coming. Forget California. It’s a lost cause. Contain Detroit and bypass Chicago. Cleveland you could take, but I’d let it go as well.
Once you get Detroit tied down just keep securing everything else and prepare for the east coast.
That’s where the battle will be. You’ll need a million men well-armed and well trained. We’re getting defections from the left as well. It will be ugly. They are forming a perimeter but the bulk of the biggest force you will face will be in Richmond.
I don’t know when it will happen. But they are already building up. It might be a year or two. So you have time. Prepare for that battle. Before you get to Richmond, make sure you hold the areas one hundred miles out.
This next part is important. Cut off the internet going into and around Richmond. Then cut down or disable the cell phone towers. If you can, sneak men in and cut off the power in the city. This is going to take a lot of planning and organization. But keep it to just a few people. No more than ten.
Don’t let the plan leak. If you take Richmond you’ll be primed to take D.C.
When you do that, the generals and admirals will surrender to you and the war will be over. Watch carefully who you trust.”
Just as abruptly as the conversation started it ended. Admiral Shock just hung up the phone.
“Now what?” Evans asked.
Hartwick stared at his phone. Should he tell Evans?
“I’ll tell you later. For right now we’ve got to get these guys organized. We need to slowly push in but not cross the loop of 275 or 65. We also need to let food in like he said. We just need to contain them.”
“Are you sure you can trust that guy?”
“I don’t know. But I think so. A lot of what he said made sense. Once we contain Detroit we need to get back to Indianapolis and meet with Jake Stahl.”
“Why?” Evans asked again.
“You’ll just have to trust me.”
Hartwick and Evans stayed in Michigan for two weeks. They worked the phones and brought troops in to assist. They made plans to contain the city. But they made it clear that the NFA was not to take Detroit no matter what.
The fighting in small towns and rural areas towards the loop was sometimes easy, sometimes hard. But they slowly made progress. By the end of summer, Detroit was sealed in.
There were fierce arguments about letting food in. But Hartwick got them to allow it. Medicine and other necessities were also let in.
Hartwick had to fight passionately for this win. It was incredibly difficult because when he was asked why, he couldn’t give them a straight answer.
It was the credibility he had earned from his victory in St. Louis and other places that allowed his word to hold. They were to let small groups of peo
ple out if they made it.
They were only to allow Muslims in. Hartwick didn’t know if this was the right choice or not. But it was a decision he made and stuck with.
When he realized that his credibility came through St. Louis, and that victory in St. Louis came from Evans he decided he could trust him. When they left for their return trip to Indianapolis he insisted the two drive alone.
He was surprised to learn that Evans was largely in agreement with the Admiral.
They were also in agreement that Jake Stahl, who was now governor of Indiana, and Matt Davis would be in on the plan. Beyond that, they would need time.
As they drove they formulated plans for Richmond. And then Hartwick brought up the other part of Shock’s statement.
“He also said we should prepare for victory. Do you have any idea what he meant by that?” Hartwick asked.
“I think it means we have to prepare to rule if we win. The day we win, you realize we will be controlling the entire United States government. I guess we should have a plan for that.”
“How?” Hartwick asked.
“Shit I don’t know John. You’re the general. I guess just start organizing people to run the government and have a plan to do it. You’re the best I’ve ever seen at organizing shit. You and Davis both. You two do that and add anyone who you need. At least that part doesn’t have to be secret.”
“And the attack on Richmond?” Hartwick asked.
“I know a few men I can absolutely one hundred percent trust. The truth is, we can probably trust most of them. They aren’t going to purposefully leak, it’s just that people like to talk. It’s not going to be easy. We’re going to have to figure out a way to pay these guys. We need a professional army.”
Chapter 11
August in the Free Nation of California.
Colby Ohlbinger had called for a meeting in Sacramento. The governor would be there as would several state senators and representatives.
He had also insisted the governors of Oregon and Washington attend. And they of course had obliged. Scotch Anderson and several other business leaders were in attendance as well.
Ohlbinger made them wait. He sat in a room next to the large Capitol conference room chatting with his inner circle. The real power brokers. They chatted easily. The group had grown. Over the months Colby had formed close relationships with most of them. When he delegated power to them, he did so unconditionally.
“Are we all set in D.C.?” He asked.
“The plan is set to go into effect in four hours. We have people in twenty offices from California representatives, one senator of course, and three more reps from Oregon and Washington.” Gene Strickland had answered.
Strickland was a former college professor. Nearly sixty years old he was well loved and incredibly radical.
Colby liked him immensely but had been forced to pay him nearly a million dollars to leave his tenured job and join the inner circle full time. He believed in the cause of not just socialism, but social justice. Killing for the greater good was to him necessary, and in fact heroic. Even the dead had made a great sacrifice that would benefit their children and grandchildren.
Since the death of Steve Oxley and his admission to the governor, Scotch Anderson and the others in that room so many months ago, Colby began to question the killings. He knew it was sometimes necessary. What would take place today was necessary. But he began to wish that it were not.
“What’s the total number?” He asked.
“Sixty people.” Strickland answered. I believe that’s correct isn’t it Katana?”
Katana was growing weary of everything. Colby knew he had to get her out fast. “Yeah. Sixty people. They’re all armed and ready to go.” And now I have to go.
She stood up and left the room without another word. Most figured she was just like that. A bit anti-social. Colby knew better. She was done.
When she had left Colby scanned the room. He liked this new style of leadership. It was very democratic. If he needed to settle an argument he would do it. If he really wanted something, he would get it. But he found he was actually earning more respect by listening and delegating power.
Things were going well in California. The right had been largely banished. The ones that remained realized free healthcare and a higher minimum wage had actually worked. Now was the time to expand.
“So are we still all in agreement? No last minute defections?”
No one spoke. “I mean this. Guys, you have to tell me now. If you don’t think we’re ready, we can hold off. I think we’re ready. I think things are going well and with the trouble in St. Louis and now Detroit this is the time. But I am open to any debate at all.”
“No Colby, we’ve talked this thing to death now. We’re all ready and we’re all on board. The Free Nation of California, well, Oregon and Washington as well, is long overdue. I’ve worked my entire life for this and I think I speak for all of us; it is time.” Strickland answered.
“And if the politicians in there and the business leaders object?” Colby asked.
“Stick to the plan my boy, stick to the wonderful plan Strickland answered.
Colby looked around the room. “Everyone okay?”
Most just nodded. Some gave a thumbs up and a few smiled and answered in the affirmative.
“Gene, you sure you don’t want to go in there with me? I’m fine with going by myself. I sometimes prefer it. But I don’t want to leave you out.”
“No, no, my boy. I prefer the concrete myself. I’ll stay behind the scenes and do the math and other heavy lifting. You’re very good at the politics of the whole mess. You handle that then right?”
Colby just nodded.
“Okay then. Go get them. If they won’t go along, force the issue and tell them the people want this and their voices must be heard.”
Colby nodded again. He smiled and left the room. “When I get back we’ll be in a new nation.”
When he walked into the conference room they all stood up and applauded. It had been weeks since they’d last met. As politicians and other assorted suck ups, they were accustomed to false praise. Colby graciously thanked them and asked them to sit. He didn’t like the fake fawning.
As they were sitting, he could see that at the far end of the table, Scotch Anderson had not stood to applaud. He shook his head slightly and said to himself, ‘I own that guy, doesn’t matter anyway’.
“I’ve called this meeting to address a few things. We’ve been circulating among the people and taken a few polls (Everyone in the room knew this was not true. Colby knew they knew it was not true, but everyone played the game) the people want this. We are confident in that. And we think it’s time to make a significant move.”
Almost everyone in the group moved to the edge of their seats. Colby noticed Anderson had not. He was slumped in his chair twiddling his pen in his fingers. Perhaps it had been a mistake to invite him after all.
“The country is now divided. War rages in the Midwest and the south. But here it becomes more peaceful every day. We believe, the people believe, that it is time we secede. It is time we formed our own nation.”
There was silence in the room. Colby wanted their approval. He knew the politicians still held sway over the states. He wasn’t sure they realized this, and he wasn’t sure they had the backbone to resist. But he wanted their support.
“Any thoughts?”
It was Scotch Anderson who finally spoke.
“How?” He asked.
“I’m sorry Scotch, what do you mean?”
“I mean how? I don’t want to be disrespectful, I don’t want any more trouble. But how are you going to do this?”
Colby noticed the ‘more trouble’ in Anderson’s sentence.
“Well, we’ve had Gene Strickland and some of the other professors in the group look into that. They tell me we just need to inform our representatives in D.C., notify the Congress, and the President, and that’s that. The representatives would all come home and be re
presentatives here.”
“What do we use for money? How do we trade with them? I mean the first thing we would need to do is establish a currency. How do we trade with other nations? Do we still trade with the Midwest?
Because that’s where a lot of our food and oil comes from. And more importantly, the food we grow brings in money to the state by selling it to them.”
“Well, we can keep using the dollar. And yes, if we can, we of course trade with the farmers and manufacturers in the Midwest. And remember the east coast is still siding more with us than the right.” Colby answered.
“Okay. If you’re going to use the dollar, are we still sending federal taxes to Washington D.C.?” Anderson asked.
“Of course not. Why would we? We will have our own nation. Look, I hear it all the time, we send them more money than they send back to the state anyway. Why would we continue to do that?” Colby answered
“Because that’s largely a myth. What we get in return is a guarantee on our bonds. We issue debt and the U.S. government backs it. If we don’t send taxes to them they won’t accept our dollars. They’ll just change the currency or close us off from the Fed.”
Colby was in over his head. He was beginning to wonder if Scotch was right.
“I’m sorry Scotch, I really am. This is not my area of expertise. Let me just check with Strickland real quick. He has assured me this is all good to go, but I want to get the details. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t bother.” Anderson said. “Strickland is an idiot. Do you know he makes over six-hundred thousand dollars a year as a professor of history? Do you know that he hasn’t taught a class in about thirty years? And that he continues to receive his pay?
He taught Marxism, that’s it. He was allowed to stop teaching because people were complaining that he just ranted for hours on end. So they promoted him. He knows nothing and he will have no answers for you.”
“All the same, I think I’d like to bring him in.”
Colby left the room and rushed to Strickland. “You have to go in there with me. They are talking about bonds and monetary policy and I don’t know what to tell them.”