Killswitch Chronicles- The Complete Anthology

by G. R. Carter

  His dissonance continued into his dreams as he drifted off, until finally he gave in and let his head settle down onto his desk, cushioned only by the book. Dreams of earthquakes became so real, even his chair vibrated and the plates on his desk rattled. Then he smelled something burning. His awoke and his head came up with a start, fearful he’d knocked over the candle and set the room on fire. But the flame remained solitary, until another thunderous shake of the room wobbled the candlestick. Then another, and another. Dust settled down from the ceiling. He heard screaming from somewhere on the ground level. He turned to the bed to wake Kara, but she was already out the door and heading for the boy’s bedroom.

  A glow seeped in from the window but he didn’t bother to look at the cause. They were under attack, and all he knew was he needed to get his family to safety. He sprinted down the corridor, almost barreling into Kara as she pulled the boys out of their room. They were stumbling and complaining in a sleepy stupor. Darwin grabbed up Ben in his arms while Kara kept hold of the hand of the larger and heavier Max.

  They made their way to the end of the hall and down the open staircase into the cafeteria. The skylights were cracking and falling to the ground, but they were sheltered by the overhang of the second floor walkway. The back of the building disappeared in dust and debris as the building shuddered. Still they ran until they reached the door leading to the gardens. Darwin hesitated - would they be safer inside instead of out in the open? Another blast and more flames made his decision easier. He flung open the door and nearly pushed Kara out. He followed close behind and they ran with all their strength as far away as possible from their shattered home.

  A million thoughts swirled in his head. He was trying to get an idea of what was causing the explosions. His eyes searched frantically in the firelight, trying to figure out where the attacking force was. Were they running right into them?

  When they reached a row of blackberry bushes that marked the outer edge of the gardens he set Trey down and motioned for Kara to get down. Only then did he notice his hysterical breathing. King tried to even the breaths out, to get a grip. Still he searched for the enemy, but the only movement he could make out were more of his people running for their lives.

  Confusion froze his decision making. They were caught in no man’s land here, he needed to get them moving, but which direction?

  He never expected Malik to attack like this. Sure, he figured there was a good chance of being arrested, but not this. Darwin was trying to save his people from the destruction of war. Now he wondered if he’d just made it worse.

  Confusion turned to rage. Plans of revenge started to form even as his family cowered beneath the branches. He’d figure out a way to make the Masens pay for this, if it took the last breath in his body. He’d gather his survivors and head for the bush, then they’d come back. Maybe not soon, but someday, he’d look into Malik Masen’s eyes and watch the bastard’s life fade away. Lost in the dreams of vengeance, his eyes were drawn upward, to the fire’s reflection in a silvery shape above. The oval shape seemed to float as yellow and orange sparkled off metallic skin.

  It wasn’t the airship Jack Diamante had visited in, he was pretty sure of that. But the lambda symbol visible in the reflections told him Tony Diamante’s answer to Darwin’s request to join ARK. Was the bombing a favor to Masen, to show good faith for a new deal? Or a chance to settle a score while the Masens were distracted with other enemies. Didn’t much matter now. Out of friends and homeless, for King’s surviving loyalists, the bush would have to be their refuge from here on out.

  Red Hawk Republic

  Fortress Farm Aronia Point

  Home of Alex and Rebekah Hamilton

  Martin Fredericks took a deep breath, a bit incredulous at the complicated idea placed before him. But experience taught him Tony Diamante and Alex Hamilton were usually right in matters of grand strategy. They were both looking to him for an honest assessment of their idea of staging a coup against Frederick’s former commander.

  “Let me recap if I may, gentlemen. You want me to identify half a dozen New America officers now truly loyal to us, talk them into being dropped into the middle of Gray territory, take Walsh prisoner, hail themselves as the temporary ruling committee of New America, and then declare an end to hostilities with us?” Fredericks asked as straight-faced as possible.

  Tony and Alex both cast hopeful looks in his direction; Fredericks was struck at how young the two could look when begging for approval.

  “That’s a pretty tall order, don’t you think?” Fredericks asked.

  “Audacious, I will admit. But also a chance to end the Gray threat once and for all. Most importantly, end it without another meat grinder that gets a bunch of our men killed,” Alex replied.

  “Except me!” Fredericks blurted out in a rare loss of self-control.

  “What’s that mean? You’re not going in there with them,” Alex said defensively.

  “Of course I am,” Fredericks replied. “If it’s our operation, some of our people have to go. Just send a handful of Americans in there and you’ll have another Bay of Pigs on your hands.”

  Tony and Alex both looked confused for a moment and then caught the historical parallel. Tony spoke up: “We’re not going to invade, just topple. More like the Americans used to do in Central America and Europe. If they didn’t like the people in charge, they changed the people.”

  “I’m not saying I’m against the idea. In fact, it’s the best concept I’ve heard in a long time. Taking out the political leaders instead of the grunts just doing their job? That’s something all of us military types can get behind,” Fredericks said while looking down at the map below. Remembering there were two supreme leaders standing in front of him right now, he looked up a little abashed. “Present company excluded, of course,” he said with a nervous smile.

  “Of course,” Tony replied. “No offense taken. An assassin’s war is the easiest on the rank-and-file. Walsh would certainly take his own shot on Alex if he had it.”

  “Okay, I’ll start thinking it over. Where would we base the operation out of?”

  “Fortress Farm Shiloh. That’s Hank Tripp’s farm. He got hit pretty hard by the Grays and he already has skyship docking apparatus on his towers. We can stage a pretty good-sized operation out of there without causing any suspicion,” Alex said.

  “Hank’s a good man. He’s a Ten Vet,” Martin agreed.

  Tony looked confused. He was familiar with the term but never understood the full meaning.

  Fredericks explained. “He was one of the nine officers with me the day we joined Phil Hamilton’s Self Defense Cooperative. We all deserted Walsh’s ally in Decatur and made a run for it. Two of the nine moved on to find family in other areas, one is buried in the Ring of Honor and the others all have large Fortress Farms spread around the Republic. Hank’s farm just happened to be in the path of the Gray invasion. Bad for Hank’s people, good for us. No telling how many Grays he used up those two days.”

  Tony nodded in appreciation. Every man and woman did their part in the new world, but some were just different, like superheroes in the old action films. Maybe that’s how the myths were created, Tony wondered. Ordinary people witnessed remarkable things on the battlefield and just assumed supernatural powers were the only explanation.

  “So it’s settled then. Martin, you’ll get a group of Grays, uh, I mean Americans put together as soon as possible. I think it would be best if I met them also. Just so they can see I’m not the boogey man, no matter how bad Walsh tried to make me out to be. If they don’t already have their own farms, give them the opportunity to get full Land Lord status. Just don’t make it sound like bribery; if they’re really good men and women, they won’t like the way that feels,” Alex said to Fredericks, thinking his way through the process to the end.

  “Roger that,” Fredericks said. “I’ll have something ASAP. I’ll leave for…wait, what are we calling that area now? I don’t want to call it New America anymore.
”

  “We’ll just call it America,” was Alex’s simple reply. “If they want to change the name later via election when they choose their provincial leaders I’m fine with that. But for now, we call it what it is. Best farm ground in the world and hopefully we’ll be able to use every inch of that black land prairie to feed thousands. Be the bread basket of the world, just like it once was.”

  “Very good, sir. I’m off to America to meet with the candidates. I’ll message you after so we can set the meeting.” Tony rose to shake hands with the Red Hawk Commander.

  Fredericks then turned to a still-seated Alex. With one hand across his heart he said: “Against the storm, Founder Hamilton.”

  The Founder repeated the gesture and replied: “Eternal Republic.”

  Once Fredericks left the room Tony snorted at Alex. “That’s kind of new, isn’t it?”

  Alex nodded. “Yeah. I guess it was something in the works for a while, but I was too caught up in other things to realize. Since I’ve been out a while, Sam and Martin put everyone up to doing it. Caught on like wildfire. I guess our little cooperative is really growing up. A touch of Roman dramatics if you ask me.”

  “You mean like trying to rename your capital city Philippi?” Tony laughed. “Don’t be so hard on them, I think it adds some gravitas. Might help bring on the new people. Slogans like that bond folks together. For good or ill, I suppose.”

  “My friend, I think I’m going to close my eyes for a few minutes. I know you’ve only got a little time here, but this is the most I’ve been up and moving since the battle,” Alex said wearily.

  “I understand, Alex. In fact, if you don’t mind, I might just take a little siesta myself. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been able to sit quietly by a fire without someone bursting in shouting about the crisis of the hour,” Tony replied.

  He smiled at his friend and told him: “Just be ready when you wake up. I’ve got a special present for you and Sam. Eric too, if he’s around.”

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Alex replied and closed his eyes. He didn’t have time to complete his first prayer before his mind went dark.

  *****

  Alex Hamilton pulled the hydraulic lever beside the seat of his John Deere 4020 tractor. He watched as the disc blades behind him raised up out of black dirt just long enough for him to make a 180-degree turn and head back for another round. Just another few hours and I can switch to the planter, he thought as he kept an eye on the sun falling towards the tree line ahead. It was afternoon and in the heat of the day. If he wanted to get the field work done and the planter in the field while there was daylight, he’d have to hurry.

  “Alex.”

  Strange that he could hear Bek’s voice over the roaring diesel engine in front of him.

  “Alex, you have another visitor,” his wife’s voice said. This time it was a little louder as the field in front of him began to melt away into nothingness.

  He tried to force his eyes open, focusing the uncovered one as best he could to the restricted field of vision.

  “Alex, Mom and General Hopkins from Vincennes are here to see you.”

  Groggily he tried to process the information. No one was scheduled to be here today. He just needed a short nap and then he could get back to work with his friends from ARK. He ran the back of his hand across his face, nearly pulling off the leather eyepatch attached diagonally around his head.

  “Uh, okay. That’s fine. Just give me a minute to clear the cobwebs out of my brain. Tony and Nicole?” he asked hopefully.

  “They’re still here. We’ve just been looking over their food requirements for the next month. Trying to plan out how to fill the new storage bins they built,” Rebekah told him. “They didn’t want to impose while you spoke to Hopkins.”

  “I’m glad they’re still here. Don’t you think they should sit in with us?” Alex asked his closest advisor.

  “I do. I think it will help the General understand we’re equals and how we work with our allies,” Rebekah replied.

  “Great point. Will you send for them? Make sure that your Mom sits on one side of the General and maybe Tony on the other side. Let’s go to the conference room. I know it’s not finished yet but the round table will be perfect. I don’t want all of us sitting across the table from just him. That makes it seem adversarial,” Alex said, still half-dazed.

  Rebekah sent a junior officer to see to the arrangements while she went to find Tony and Nicole. She quickly briefed them on the information Julia Ruff was able to pass discreetly through assistants. Apparently Ruff was confident a deal could be made, but Alex would have to be the one to close the sale.

  Alex shuffled over to the wheelchair and fell more than sat on the sling below. Rebekah remained silent for the trip down the hallway. The two shared the same vision for bringing Vincennes into their circle of allies. Hopkins ran the community like he saw fit, but all indications were he cared for not only his troops but the citizenry in general. That went a long way in their book, and ARK didn’t differ that much in structure. The Red Hawk leaders sincerely wanted citizen input, but even then the Founder had the final say on matters of utmost importance.

  “General Hopkins, I can’t tell you how honored I am to see you again. I was just a student of my father’s when we first met. We’re extremely grateful you’ve made the trip over to see us,” Alex beamed. The bleariness dropped away and he was the old Alex Hamilton again, eyepatch and wheelchair notwithstanding.

  “Founder Hamilton, please forgive my intrusion. I truly appreciate the company and the hospitality of Senator Ruff but I just had to know for myself that I was negotiating with the full authority of the Republic,” Hopkins replied. “I have begged the Senator’s forgiveness. I never meant to doubt her sincerity. She has graciously forgiven my imposition, though I wonder if that’s not just the work of an excellent diplomat.”

  Senator Ruff was seated right next to the General and simply smiled and shook her head. “Honestly, General, I would have asked for the same thing. You were more than patient with me and I know you simply want what’s best for your people.”

  Hopkins returned the smile and looked to Alex. “See what I mean?”

  “I do see it quite clearly, even now,” Alex said pointing to the eyepatch. “She was a hero of mine even before the Hamiltons and Ruffs completed our merger.”

  The room laughed at Alex’s self-deprecating humor as everyone to settle in around the giant oak circle serving as the conference table. Twelve Roman numerals appeared in equal distances around the circle and in the interior was written “Time waits for no man” four times in the shape of a square. The chairs were covered in burgundy leather, a gift from ARK on the anniversary of the Republic’s founding. The room’s ornate trim pieces still lay piled up in the corner, but the walls held paintings and artifacts from each community that joined either the Republic or its predecessor, the Okaw Valley Self Defense Cooperative. In the middle of it all hung another representation of the Greenfield Shield next to a picture of Phil and Anna Hamilton on one side and Rebekah’s mother and father on the other.

  “Very impressive spread, Founder Hamilton,” Hopkins said. “I bet you’ll be glad when the work is all done.”

  Alex nodded. “I will, sir. Because that will mean all of our farms are rebuilt and we have time for the whims of the founding family. And please, sir, call me Alex. In many ways I still consider that title to be misplaced on anyone but my father,” he said humbly.

  “Yet your people wish you to be Founder of the Republic. You must honor their wishes in this time of trouble, just as I must with mine,” Hopkins said.

  “Indeed, sir. My hope is that the people of Vincennes will look west and see a horizon of friends. That your Marines can go to sleep at night knowing that an ally stands at their shoulder. I hope both our weapons can be turned towards the real threats in this crazy world. Truly, that’s my greatest wish for the two, or three, of us,” Alex said sincerely pointing towards Tony and Nicol
e.

  “My biggest concern with your circle of friends has always been the Buckles. I have no problem with ARK. I envy the partnership the two of you have developed,” Hopkins said.

  “I think you’d fit in with our partnership quite well,” Tony interjected. “Alex will tell you we’ve had our own concerns about the Buckles but we’re thrilled that they’ll be joining the Republic as a province. Getting them to focus on improving their own conditions instead of worrying about what caused the Reset will be quite a moderating influence on their leaders.”

  “Plus we’re sending one of our best young leaders to oversee the transition. Even better, Senator Ruff will be his mentor during the process,” Alex added.

  He strained to see Julia’s reaction. Ever the diplomat, she made no indication the assignment was a surprise.

  Tony continued, “General, I think you’ll see the ARK and Red Hawk alliance is built on mutual respect. No hidden agendas here…everyone has enough threats and opportunities to worry about for generations. I think I can speak for Alex when I tell you that we wish to live in peace with all of our neighbors. Unlike others we might mention.”

  “I know you’ve had problems with Walsh and New America. The Grays you call them, right? I haven’t. He’s left us alone. I don’t think he’ll be much of a threat to you for quite a while either. You smashed him pretty good. He’ll be rebuilding for years,” Hopkins said confidently.

  “All due respect, General, you know how much he hates us. Do you really believe he’ll leave us alone? Pride and hatred aside, we’ve got his capital city and half the area he held under Reconstruction,” Alex said. “Just look at who he allied with in his last invasion. Honestly, can any of us trust someone who’d turn thousands of ditchmen loose on innocent civilians?” Alex asked.