by G. R. Carter
“I’ve never heard you quite so philosophical,” she said, trying to smile through her tears.
“I’ve never felt quite so fragile.”
A sudden realization hit her. “Tony, you shouldn’t have made this trip! The stress of that had to be terrible for you.”
He shrugged. “I took a skyship, not our train. The flight was fine, I was perfectly comfortable. At least over our own territory I think I was safe from getting shot down.”
“Still, I should have come to you.”
“No, really, you shouldn’t. We needed to be out of ARK City. I haven’t seen many people since my episode. No one knows what’s going on. But there are those who are already scheming against us.”
“You mean Kathy?”
“She’s the main one. But the Romano family is also gathering some supporters. Quietly, of course. Losing Elias Romano at Mt. Horab was a terrible loss to their family. ARK’s first war hero, a skyship Admiral plummeting to his death in flames…they blame me for it…and rightly so.”
Nicole tried not to show concern. She also blamed Tony, but that was over, the past couldn’t be undone. Her immediate concern about someone trying to wrestle ARK away from her and Tony was simple; the children of former rulers typically had very short lifespans. Quick calculations began in her brain, trying to think of the last time she had connected with some of ARK’s most powerful families. She always took their loyalty for granted. ARK had morphed into something like a feudal system over the past few years—growth brought more power to the early followers of their firm as new territory and populations was brought under the lambda. Like capos of the old Mafia families, just with bigger weapons.
“Don’t worry, I think they just want ARK City. No one knows much about Independence, I’ve done my best to keep it that way,” he assured her, still able to tune into her emotions when he really tried.
She nodded nervously, unsure of what that meant. “Do you think they’ll make a move on you?”
“Yes.”
The quick answer took Nicole aback. “Together or separately?”
“I can’t see Kathy working with anyone for too long. I suppose if they do partner up, it will last just long enough for my body to hit the floor,” he replied. He smiled at the drop of her jaw. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my own mortality the last couple weeks. Working through the process mentally helps me feel better.”
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me.”
“We haven’t had a chance to speak much,” he said sadly. “At least not civilly. We’ve been running ARK like the Roman Empire when it split, Eastern and Western. Me in the White City and you here in the Glittering Caves. Same but different.”
Her face sank. “I’ve gotten progressively angrier with you, I admit. You seemed more interested in building the empire than in your children. I guess taking on Independence gave me a chance to get away, not have to deal with it every day.”
“And my extended family can make anyone feel claustrophobic. That’s my fault for not dealing with it.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t come from a close family, you know that. But to constantly be around people who think they’re better, smarter…it just gets to be too much. I want a close family for our kids, but I don’t want them involved in everything we do. The choices we make…”
“I agree. At least I do now. When you told me the first time we were going to be parents—remember that? On the skyship that day coming back from Springfield? All I could think about was a legacy. I tried to say it was for them, but, it was for me. I know that now. I was thinking of our children taking over a real nation, not just some law firm. I would be the greatest Diamante ever.” He lowered his face, wiping away a tear with trembling hands. “See, I’m still thinking of myself. Now I’m just worried about everyone hating me. I’ve made a mess of it all.”
Nicole wanted to look away. For all of Tony’s faults, and there were many, she was always attracted to his presence. The way he entered a room, he always seemed like the gravity holding them all together. People looked to him for answers. He always seemed to be ready to act when others faltered.
Instead of denying the truth, she gripped his hand a little tighter. “Tony, you said you wanted to make things right, to get our affairs in order. I guess I didn’t realize what that meant…heck, I thought you were going to tell me you had found another woman and wanted to divorce me,” she chuckled, considering the irony for a moment.
She continued. “For the sake of our kids’ future—their safety, not just their inheritance—we need to agree on a plan. A worst-case scenario, I guess. I want to be there for you, to help you. But I think we both agree we’ve got to make sure they’re taken care of first.”
Tony laughed at the look on Nicole’s face.
“What?” she demanded, annoyed that she had opened her heart and he was amused about it.
“Nothing, you just raised your eyebrow like Uncle Jack used to do. The look he gave you when he wanted to make sure you acknowledged his point, whatever that was… Sorry, I’m just trying to make sense of things myself, old memories keep haunting me.”
“Okay, well, let’s work through what we want our real world to look like, then we’ll deal with your ghosts. I’m going to have our doctors here look at you. We found a couple of top-notch surgeons surviving in one of the little towns near here. I’ve got them developing our hospital for Independence, let’s see if we can get a second opinion on your condition.”
Tony nodded. “Thank you, Nicole. Thank you for seeing me, for taking the time for me…for everything. You and the kids are the only thing good I’ve ever really accomplished in this life.”
She was flabbergasted. Unable to respond to such frank honesty, such humility and openness, she simply gave him the most genuine smile she’d felt in a while.
Act Two
Chapter Thirteen
Downtown Shelbyville
Decoration Day Holiday
Victory Parade – Senate Opening Ceremony
One month after the fall of Vincennes
“I feel like an idiot, standing up here like some kind of king.”
Bek elbowed him. “You are some kind of king, remember? Just because we call it Founder instead of King or Emperor or President, doesn’t mean it isn’t the same thing.”
“Disturbing argument,” Alex smiled and waved at the next group marching past the reviewing stand. There hadn’t been a parade in Shelbyville since the Reset; come to think of it, there hadn’t been one on these streets since he was a little boy. There hadn’t been much to celebrate back then. Even now it felt like they were always fighting day to day for survival. But they had survived, and maybe that was enough reason for a party. It was Bek’s idea bring everyone together, and she was usually right about these things.
Today was Decoration Day, a new Republic holiday hastily organized to commemorate the victory over Vincennes as well as the assembly of the Senate. This was a chance to celebrate the Republic’s strength, to counter the anger and concern that had settled over the Red Hawk nation recently. The loss of ARK as an ally was a bitter pill to even the common field hand. There weren’t many friends in this world for their Republic, and it was still a dark and dangerous place outside her borders. Bek thought it was the perfect time to bring the provinces together, to show the diversity of the Republic’s population, and let everyone know that they weren’t alone.
This memorial would join established celebrations such as Founder’s Day, Fall Festival, Christmas and Easter. Decoration Day wouldn’t be a day off of work – those weren’t feasible in an agrarian economy - but it did involve taking some time off to recognize the Self Defense Cooperative and all of its respective branches. Anyone who had ever fought to defend the Republic or her allies was wearing a silver sash over their shoulder today, emblazoned with a red hawk over their heart. Hand crafted ribbons and buttons to pin to the sash were created by representatives of different provinces; the idea being to trade the
tokens amongst the veterans in a gesture of unity and good will. The somber remembrance would be capped off with a service for the fallen in the Domicile.
But the mood would lighten as the day went on. Tonight, the entire downtown would be alight with hanging lanterns, bright with each province’s colors. The atmosphere would be wonderful under the stars, although the music and dancing in the Chautauqua Auditorium was slated to begin long before that.
One final ceremony was planned for curfew, though arguments about it were still working towards the Founder’s Chair. Decoration Day planners wanted to release sky lanterns with the name of each man and woman killed in action serving the Republic. It was a great idea, and a touching tribute. The visual would be spectacular against the clear night sky. But in a world where wildfires were still an everyday threat, and most people’s homes were made of wood, the risk of sending an open flame aloft was a bit too much for those in charge of local risk management.
Alex was hoping the conflict would sort out before Bek had to get involved. The prospect of making half of everybody mad was something he’d grown used to; but I wish it wasn’t over sky lanterns this time he thought.
His hand kept waving, but Bek could tell his mind was somewhere else. “Quarter for your thoughts,” she said.
“I just feel odd sometimes, celebrating the dead and wounded. It was my orders that caused them to get that way,” Never would he admit his doubts to anyone outside his inner circle. Bek, Sam and the bishops bore the brunt of exception.
“You didn’t give an order to conquer, AJ,” she said. “You were trying to help those who couldn’t help themselves.”
“Tell that to folks like Martin,” he said. He pointed down to the next province marching around the corner of Olsen Avenue. There his friend and trusted commander Martin Fredericks rode next to his wife Maggie Kemble, both mounted on beautiful brown and white Belgian breed horses. Alex knew Martin was still feeling the effects of his concussion and broken arm suffered at Vincennes, though he managed to carry himself with the pride and grace of a professional soldier.
The crowd all knew who he was, and a tip of his broad brimmed hat to the Founding Family sent the entire downtown into a cheer. It was quite a twist of fate that the Americans were so popular here now. In the years immediately following the Reset the Stars and Stripes brought fear to anyone living here in Shelbyville. Now that it was led by a Hero of the Republic, or more specifically his wife, common folks realized America would be a huge and powerful resource. Encompassing almost all of what had been considered east central Illinois, it offered the richest farm ground in the world, well trained and resourceful Legions now loyal to the Republic, and a buffer to the Northern Caliphate.
“Have you had a chance to spend much time with Martin and Maggie since they arrived?” Bek asked. During these types of gatherings, she and Alex typically had to divide their time to get everything done.
“I’d much rather be spending some quality time alone with you,” Alex said through gritted teeth. “I guarantee I wouldn’t be faking my enthusiasm then.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Soon enough, my love. I made sure we didn’t schedule any late meetings tonight. We’ll make an appearance at the reception at the Domicile, then slip off for a private dinner, just the two of us.”
“After being gone for four weeks,” they both waved again, this time for the multi-feathered banner of Grand Shawnee, “I’m more interested in dessert than dinner.” He turned to her with a smirk. His visible eye sparkled, pure male orneriness lighting up his rugged face.
“You’re impossible,” she said and elbowed him again.
“So I’ve been told. I’ve only got a couple of nights in town before I head back to Vincennes. I want to make sure my most important meetings occur first, and baby, you are the most important thing on my mind.”
“That’s simply the worst pick-up line I’ve ever heard,” she replied with mock disgust.
He faked suspicion. “Exactly how many pickup lines do you hear these days?”
She shrugged playfully. “I am still considered beautiful by some. Even with a pack of kids and the most dangerous husband in the known world.”
More smiles and more waves as a small contingent of Buckles walked past, loosely organized and waving their flag featuring a sword wrapped in roses. “Glad to see they could put together some leadership,” Alex said, returning to the business of world building.
“Thank God for Liam Oliver and Levi Marshall. I know you’ve met the Captain; you’d really like Levi, too. I had them both in for a meeting while you were on your adventure.”
“Did either of them call you beautiful?” he joked again.
“They didn’t have to, I could see it in their eyes.”
“Is that a one-eyed-man joke? Because if it is, I’m really offended.”
“You think I’m hot now, you should see me with two eyes.”
He laughed out loud, then regained his composure—people were always watching his reaction, an unfortunate side effect to a nation guided by force of personality. “I’m giving them the middle stretch of the Illinois River. Beardstown area, where Lori’s been working. They’re a river people. We need good people there, and where they’re at now is going to be too dangerous for a long time still.”
“That keeps Grand Shawnee from conflicting with them,” Bek agreed. “I’m sure Eric and the Hunsingers would be fine with the Buckles living in their territory for now, but who knows about the next generation? They’re expanding like wildfire, they’ll probably want that part of the country for their own.”
Alex nodded. “Good, good. I already sent Oliver and Marshall to prepare for the rest of the Buckles. No sense making them stay for the Senate meeting, they’ll feel out of place anyway without being eligible to vote yet. Okay, let’s see if we can sketch that up. We should do that tonight. What are you doing after dinner?”
“Good Lord, you never stop.” Her eyes sparkled, somehow made more beautiful by a few laugh lines radiating out from the corners. Those wrinkles were a thing of beauty to Alex, well-earned from her time standing beside him.
“I’d be a lot less interesting if I did, sweetheart. Besides, you prayed for a miracle, and now most of my health is back. Ultimately, it’s your fault I’m the way I am.”
Bek smiled at the thought. “I’ll take the bad with the good. Just like I always have with you.”
Alex laughed again. He regained his business face as the Commonwealth Province began to approach, flawlessly aligned in exact columns. “Perfect,” he said out loud.
“How’s that?”
“Buckles come through in a group, like a bunch of friends on a stroll through the park. The Commonwealth is in perfect lines, probably exact paces apart from each other. You haven’t been to Equity, have you?”
Bek shook her head. “Your mom seems to have a great relationship with them, so I haven’t worried about them much. I know the story though. Based around a little town called Meadows. All Apostolic Christians, right?”
“And Mennonites. And to say Meadows was any kind of town is a bit of a stretch. But now it looks like one of the history books from the archives; the perfect little town from the 1950s or ‘60s. Well, except for a twenty-foot-tall wall all the way around it.”
“It’s a wonder New America let them exist after the Reset.”
“They supplied a lot of Walsh’s fresh food, kind of a mutually beneficial arrangement. He didn’t try to conquer them, let them remain autonomous,” Alex said.
“Isn’t that making a deal with the devil? I’m surprised they’d go for that.”
Alex shrugged while he nodded and waved at the Bishop in charge of the Commonwealth. Alex respected the man a great deal. Like most, he didn’t actually live inside the city walls of Equity. But his farm itself was fortified, more like a frontier fort of the Old West than a Republic Fortress Farm. He seemed to be cautious but not fearful of the world, someone not the least intimidated by the Founder’s positio
n, a confidence that came from submission to a much higher authority.
“Remember, some think we are the devil,” Alex explained. “The folks in Equity believed that Walsh represented the United States government, and their allegiance ultimately is to God, not man. I suppose we can fault them for that decision.” He turned to look at his wife. “But apparently they seem to have decided we make a decent earthly authority.”
Bek just smiled back.
Provinces allied with the Red Hawk Republic continued to file past their reviewing stand. Swiftwater from the banks of the Wabash, Richland north of what had been Decatur, their most remote and problematic province of Peoria, NorthGate being cut out of the wilderness along what had once been Interstate 55 south of the wastelands of the southern Chicago suburbs. Lafayette came by, led by Tyler Eckert, once the second-in-command to New America’s dictator.
A banner with a red cedar and bending river appeared as Senachwine came into view, their northernmost province. It shared a long river border with the Northern Caliphate.
“Have we heard anything from the Trackers about Caliphate movements yet?” she asked.
“Nothing we can take for certain. Some random sightings, nothing that makes sense. I miss having the Trackers in and around Vincennes, I’ve got them chasing ghosts up north instead.”
“It was the smart move, AJ. Only Wasson and his group can get the info we need. We’ve got to figure out how and when the Jijis will move against us.”
Bek squeezed his hand as a white banner with a silver castle came into view. She had organized this whole dog-and-pony show, while Julia Ruff was busy organizing the Senate Assembly itself. Even knowing it was coming, she still enjoyed seeing the flag for Old Main, the province centered around what was once simply her university.
Alex’s reaction was the same when the last group appeared. Green and silver banners with the Shield of the Okaw filled the street, and the mostly local crowd in the capital began to cheer and roar.
Sam Hamilton and Celeste Ford led the entourage, giving a smile and wave to the crowd from the street below, then Sam looked at his brother with a tired smile. A simple thumbs-up answered him; Alex knew he was still hurting emotionally from some of their losses in Vincennes. Sam admitted he was still haunted by a phantom plane that had nearly killed him in the air, a phantom that vanished as quickly as it appeared. They’d work through it together, like they always did. Sam raised his hand high and the entire Okaw group stopped and stood at attention. Their hands went to their hearts and as one they shouted: “Against the Storm!”