by G. R. Carter
“I'm just saying we're inviting. No one's being forced to join. But let me make one thing clear. Whoever joins will be under our protection.”
“That's crap, Bek. The Republic wouldn't even exist if ARK hadn't stepped in to save your ass.”
“And ARK would have starved and froze to death long before that if the Okaw Valley hadn't shipped you food and fuel. You sure as hell wouldn't have your precious skyships without our Wizards drawing up the plans for you. Oh, or your irrigation and sanitation, or even your rail system. All that's from our Archives and our Wizards. Let's not even talk about how many of your Peacekeepers I've personally trained! Shall I go on?”
Uncle Jack stood and thought for a moment. “No, my dear, I think you've made your position perfectly clear. So now let me make myself clear, also. You've got one week to get Mt. Horab to comply with our terms of reparations.”
Rebekah worked to calm her tone. The lives of thousands hung on her ability to guide reason. “Come on, Uncle Jack, we don’t have time for petty rivalries.”
“Ah yes, you mean like Alex’s fixation on that New American dictator?”
“This is a lot bigger than that. The Caliphate's coming for all of us, and we can only stop them by working together.”
“Perhaps your sister-in-law and her buddies should stop ambushing our people, then.”
Bek sighed and threw her head back. With a groan she lost her patience. “Ugggh. Fine, Jack. I'm sure the Horab Electors will have an answer for you promptly, but you probably aren't going to like it.”
“Make sure they know it wouldn't be wise for them to refuse our requests. Perhaps you should remind them of what our family business is, eh, Rebekah?” the old man said. “I'll be staying on ARKShip One. Make sure Captain Oliver is delivered to us by this evening.” He turned and walked towards the door, followed closely by two of his black-clad Peacekeeper guards.
“Tell Nicole she'll get Oliver when we get Maxwell,” she yelled to his back.
“This evening, Rebekah. No negotiations,” he replied without turning around, then he was gone.
Chapter Sixteen
Unified Church - Cathedral of the Saints
Mt. Vernon, Grand Shawnee
Hugs passed around as the Hamilton family entered Bishop Ellis Bonner’s cozy living quarters at the back of the Unified Church’s Mt. Vernon Cathedral.
“You sure you want our circus coming to invade your sanctuary, Bishop?” Rebekah Hamilton laughed as she shifted her baby from one arm to the next. The other Hamilton children ran to the back hallway, heading for the Cathedral’s nursery packed with toys for young families to use while at Wednesday and Sunday services.
“You know it’s my pleasure to have you here, Rebekah. Not every little servant of God gets the honor of hosting the Founding Family,” Bonner assured her.
Alex Hamilton stepped through the doorway, leaning on an ebony colored cane. He raised it up and saluted Bonner, a silver hawk with outstretched wings perched on the top as a handle. The symbol’s ruby eyes sparkled, catching and reflecting the light coming from the room’s massive fireplace. “If you’re just a little servant of God, Bishop, then I’m the local dog catcher,” Alex joked.
Two Silver Shield escorts carried in leather bags packed with the Hamiltons’ personal items. Six others stood outside, the latest model Steinbrink 76 rifles at ready position while their eyes scanned the quiet streets for any sign of danger. Just around the corner in each direction sat a matte black Snapping Turtle, prepared to spring into action if the Founder’s personal escort should call. Rounding out the security detail were six huge Guardian dogs, each trained to follow the Hamilton family everywhere they went. Not exactly sweet family pets, but perfectly genteel around the children’s rowdy play and laughter.
Martin Fredericks and Sam Hamilton were already seated in the Cathedral library, a two-story wood-trimmed space packed with precious pre-Reset books on subjects from farming to theology to history. Alex stepped into the room—Sam called it waddling—stopping briefly to take a deep smell of the aged books.
“I never get tired of that smell. No matter how many times I walk into a room full of books, that smell lightens my mood,” Alex said. He settled into an overstuffed chair, surrounded by the soft leather.
“Your mood’s going to need a little lightening, brother,” Sam said. “We got the discussion started a little early before you got here. Turns out our friends have been real busy making plans without us knowing.”
Alex nodded in acknowledgement. His gut told him something was definitely afoot in Grand Shawnee, he just couldn’t find the time to look into it. The rest of his trusted circle faced the same problem. Sam was trying to help Mt. Horab while keeping fifty-year-old planes in the sky. Celeste spent her time with the Wizards trying to increase production of everything the rapidly-expanding nation was consuming. Fredericks was dedicated to integrating America, a territory doubling the size and population of the Republic. Julia Ruff was still trying to keep relations with Vincennes at least cordial, and Rebekah prepared the next generation of Red Hawk leaders at Old Main - the Republic's combination MIT and West Point. If that wasn't enough, Rebekah also had to play the role of the gracious First Lady while Alex juggled the politics of strong personalities in remote locations across thousands of square miles.
“And I’m guessing our good friends in ARK City and Vincennes are encouraging it,” Alex replied.
“Where do those people find the time?” Fredericks asked.
“Don’t know. We’re going to have to decide what to do about them and Mt. Horab. This could get ugly quick. Tony wants to add them to the satellite communities he’s got stretching all the way out past Kansas City. Texarkana’s mayor accepted ARK Citizenship, so they’re in the bag. That leaves the Buckles surrounded on their side of the river.”
“I thought they were just going west to get the helium for their airships. Kansas, right?” Fredericks asked.
“That’s what we all thought at first, too. But something else is going on.”
“I’m sorry I’ve been so out of the loop.”
“Yeah, well, true love of country will do that to a man,” Alex laughed. “By the way, how is America coming along? And more important, how is Maggie handling the stress?”
“Quite well on both accounts. Thanks for asking. The Fortress Farms are happy with all the improvements the Republic’s provided. But everyone’s nervous about the Caliphate,” Fredericks replied. “We can get into that whenever you want.”
“Now’s as good a time as any. Julia tells me the Senate passed approval of the militia call-ups. That’s good. I was going to do it anyway, but I’m glad they’re on board now.” Alex paused for a moment. “Here’s where it gets interesting. The new Senators from Shawnee got the resolution passed.”
Stunned silence met his smile. “Eric replaced his mother’s cronies with Shawnee locals. His wife’s family, to be exact. Turns out having a lot to lose makes you see things a little different,” Alex said.
“I don’t know what to say. How did you make that happen?” Fredericks asked.
“Don’t ask me, ask Bek. She and Maleah conspired to get Eric and I back on speaking terms. I’ve had to make some compromises, which I didn’t mind one bit, truth be told.”
“Someone has to be the adult in the room,” Bek cut in. “It wasn’t going to be you two testosterone junkies.”
“He pulled me into the mix, too,” Sam said with genuine reservation. “He’s gonna force me to take on an equal role in some power-sharing scheme.”
“Had to do something to get you out of your dangerous toys. Celeste made me promise so you didn’t end up looking like me!” Alex replied.
“Maryanne must be furious,” Bishop Bonner said quietly. “Her inspectors have been harassing anyone suspected of being affiliated with the Buckles. She says it’s to promote safety and security, but their actions are giving us all a bad name with some of the local villages.”
“Good Lord. I
thought we got rid of bureaucratic crap like ‘code violations’ when the computers went to sleep,” Fredericks said with disgust.
Bonner nodded and continued. “Supposedly they found a couple of Buckle churches giving food to ditchmen. These poor wretches were starving, so the pastors got food together and put on a meal for them out in the woods.”
“Sounds like the right thing to do, if the ditchers were ready to turn their lives around,” Fredericks said.
“I agree. Better to convert than to kill! But Maryanne used it as an excuse to crack down on these little churches. Something about aiding and abetting domestic terrorists. The whole episode embarrasses the Green and Silver because it looks like the Republic is forcing all other faiths out,” Bonner said.
“Which leads to more bad blood with the locals,” Rebekah said. “Seems like it’s all part of bigger picture we can’t see yet. Mom told me the Creeks had a guy claiming that the federal government exists still. They’ve just been in hiding until now and they’re on the move for some reason.”
“Can we confirm that?” Bonner asked.
“The Creeks say that Vincennes intercepted the group, kept the guy for themselves. J.D. Creek is so mad they didn’t even come. Says it’s war anywhere they see the V and bars,” Rebekah replied.
“What’s to be done about these schemes?” Bonner asked.
“Nothing tonight,” Alex said. “We’ve got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. Are we all still in agreement about offering Republic membership to every Free State, along with their protectorates?”
Hesitant nods met Alex's single-eyed stare. “I know we all have reservations about it. Julia told me she and Dad had the same questions about new members when they first put the Republic together. I just feel like if we don’t get some binding agreement now, in a few years all the regionals will have their own agendas. That might put us into conflict with each other, and we’ll take our eyes off the real threat.”
“I know, big brother. I just get the feeling our real enemy is still unseen. I know you’re worried about the Caliphate, and I am too. But they’re simple creatures up there, without much in the way of strategy except to overwhelm with numbers. I mean, look how long it’s been since we dropped the bridges and they still haven’t figured out how to get a big attack going,” Sam said.
“Or maybe they’re smart enough to wait until they’re ready this time,” Alex challenged.
“Maybe. But I still feel like our biggest threat isn’t external but internal.”
“You mean Eric?” Alex said with surprise.
“Naw, probably not him. He can be a jerk, and a wannabe ruler sometimes. But in his heart, I still believe he’s a Red Hawk. More importantly, he’s Okaw. I don’t believe he’d ever do anything to intentionally hurt the Republic, even to satisfy his hatred for you,” Sam said.
“Comforting,” Rebekah said sarcastically.
“I believe Sam is right, Alex,” Bishop Bonner said. “There does seem to be something dark in the air these days. I can’t explain it, or give you facts. Just call it a feeling, or perhaps a premonition.”
“A message from the Creator, Bishop Bonner? You’ve turned me into a religious man, but I’m not sure I buy the whole ‘signs from God’ thing,” Martin Fredericks cut in.
“Come on, Martin. Don’t be naive. You know the message won’t be painted on the side of the wall. The Creator gives you messages in your heart, in your mind. It’s our choice whether we listen or not.”
Fredericks started to say something, then thought better of it. Bonner was one of the Bishop’s Council, a committee of five tasked with leading the Unified Church. Two of the five were combat veterans, and all were veterans of hours of theological discussions. The four men and one woman were kind people, but strong and completely committed to their faith and the apologetics used to defend it.
Alex was about to interject when a huge explosion rattled the glass of the Cathedral. Sam, Martin and Bonner all jumped up and headed to the door. Two Silver Shield troops silently standing guard in the shadows moved immediately beside Alex, flanked by Tyr and Fen, Alex’s personal Guardian dogs. Rebekah was also up and moving to make sure the Hamilton children were still safe and secure, followed closely by another Silver Shield and her own Guardian.
“I need to see what’s going on,” Alex demanded. The Shields helped him up, then one led the way to the door while the other stayed just off the Founder’s shoulder. None begrudged Alex his wounds, suffered in a selfless act of heroism. But moments like these made him long for the days when he could fight anyone or anything.
They stepped outside into a world of chaos. Flames poured from the windows of Tecumseh House and people ran towards it with axes and buckets. House fires were common in this era when candles and open fires once more lit and heated homes. The drill was well rehearsed even in a crisis.
An even larger blaze came from just above the trees to their west, something huge was on fire…ARKShip One, Alex thought in horror. Then he remembered the boom; none of this was a simple accident. This was a deliberate act of sabotage. Terror struck him as he remembered his friends and allies staying the night in the burning mansion.
“We have to get over there and help!” he screamed and began to step as quickly as his cane would allow.
“Alex, no!” he heard Rebekah shout behind him. “Whoever did this is smart enough to know you weren’t there! That means they’ll be coming for you in the confusion! And maybe the kids, too!”
Alex looked again at the flames licking out of a gaping hole in the side of the mansion. Then he glanced at ARK’s flagship, already engulfed. Uncle Jack Diamante and his entourage were probably already dead. There was nothing he could do there, and there was plenty he could do here.
Without warning Tyr growled and leapt off to the corner of the cathedral. A crisp tung sound followed by a cry of pain made Alex and the two Silver Shields beside him pivot and crouch. Hours of endless training kicked in as they scanned the night for any threats. Another tung and one Silver Shield pitched backwards, a fletched crossbow bolt sticking out of his chest. The other Silver Shield grabbed Alex and shielded him with his own body while pushing them through the cathedral door. The mass of the two-hundred-pound man forced a wobbly Alex to the ground. Lying there on the hardwood floor, Alex could tell his protector was unconscious or worse.
The room exploded in a bright flash as two automatic weapons opened fire above him. Unsure why assassins using crossbows would now switch to machine guns, he realized the two firing were Rebekah and her personal Silver Shield. Both women held perfect firing stances, scanning back and forth at the doorway. With a wave of her hand, Rebekah motioned for the other woman to grab Alex and pull him from underneath his human shield. Alex grabbed his cane, then got to his feet and took out his sidearm. The trio slowly walked backward, Rebekah glancing over her shoulder to check for obstacles or threats behind them. They reached the library, where the Hamilton children and their nanny crouched surrounded by the surviving Guardians.
“Now, Allison!” Rebekah commanded the nanny, who jumped up with the grace of a trained soldier, betraying her role as more than just a caretaker of children. She shifted the Hamilton’s infant son in one hand and pulled open the hidden entrance to a safe room. Standard in each Unified Church building, the structure once designed to shield parishioners in case of bandit attack would now shelter the Hamilton family until help arrived.
As his family filed into the narrow entrance, Alex heard the sound of automatic fire outside the building. Then a clunk as something hard and dense hit the hardwood somewhere in the shadows of the library.
Alex recognized the sound. “Grenade!” he shouted, lunging to grab Rebekah and throw her to the ground. Her Silver Shield beat him to the task. Alex ended up landing on top of both just as the blast went off.
His ears were ringing as he rolled off to look up at a masked figure standing above him.
“Not so big and bad now, eh, Founder?” the figure asked, lifti
ng a pre-Reset-style crossbow to Alex’s head.
Like lightning, the Alex of old was back. Quick reflexes whipped his cane up while pulling a release built into the handle. The lever triggered a six-inch razor-sharp blade out of the bottom of the cane, and it fully extended just in time to plunge into the assassin’s groin. The masked man dropped the crossbow and grabbed at the wound while pitching backwards. In an instant, Rebekah and her Silver Shield were up and holding weapons at the ready.
A voice from outside saved the assassin a deathblow from all three. “Alex! It’s me, Martin! We’re all clear out here! Are you okay?” Relief washed over him as Alex heard his trusted friend’s voice; his family would be safe now.
“We’re fine. Come on in,” Alex half yelled while stepping over to the assassin writhing on the floor.
“Van! Attack!” Alex yelled and pointed. His surviving Guardian bounded into the room and pinned the wounded man down just as commanded, gleaming white fangs inches away from soft, prickling flesh. The man was clearly terrified of dogs, and Alex wasn’t sure if the dark spot on his pants was blood from the wound or urine from terror.
“Why? Why’d you try to murder my family, my friends, me!” Alex growled, his voice growing louder and more vicious with each syllable.
“You left us behind!” the man said, sobbing in rage and pain. “We been fighting everyone since the darkness fell. Jijis, Americans, wild men…we thought you’s was goin’ to help us…we fought for ya, ‘member dat? And you go and put up your wall…leave us all to live under those crazies. Just abandoned us like we was trash!”
Alex looked up at Rebekah. She looked just as confused, trying to process what the man under his blade was trying to say.
“You’s can kill me if ya wish, Founder,” the man stammered in agony. “I won’t talk to ya, ever… The Mahdi’s coming for ya…Caliphate’s goin’ ta kill you all…You dead whatever you’s do to me…”
Chapter Seventeen