by Ricky Sides
The intelligence painted a scene of a cult trying to establish a vampire nation. Most of the intelligence now held little value since the cultists responsible had all been killed. The main thing that the council wanted to establish was the need to take cults seriously and begin to look into such matters in their areas of responsibility.
Next, a set of medical slides was presented. They were accompanied by a voiceover by Maggie explaining the difference between live and dead blood and tissue samples. Maggie gave her professional opinion that tissue and blood samples from the men attacking the cargo bay had been dead much longer than the minutes which had elapsed between the beheadings and the securing of the samples. This caused quite a stir in the room for Maggie’s reputation as a no nonsense medical professional was well known by the peacekeepers. She assured them that she had crosschecked the samples and her equipment numerous times and the results were accurate.
The screen changed once more and Maggie was pictured surrounded by medical equipment in her infirmary. Maggie said, “In the aftermath of the battle at the house a search team found a supply of a drug. Another team found a journal. We believe that the man whom you saw Captain Wilison fighting kept the journal. Journal entries indicate that he had taken to calling himself Flavious, but he was born Barney Finchum. Barney was a chemist who was trying to create a formula that would transform a man into a vampire. Oh not really of course, but he’d have the attributes of the vampire. The speed, strength, and agility as well as the longevity. He created a cocktail of drugs that produced the results that he wanted but the drug was loaded with negative side affects. It killed tissue and blood cells. It also most likely drove the people taking the drug insane as the chemicals affected the brain. It would certainly cause them to hallucinate and magnify any mental fixations.”
“This next is partially speculation on my part,” Maggie explained. “I believe that it was the drug that brought about the seemingly impossible abilities to withstand mortal wounds. I know for a fact that the pain killer ingredient in the formula would permit them to absorb a tremendous amount of pain. References in the journal indicate that the drug was taken daily. The drug may also be a partial answer to Pol’s dilemma concerning the thermal imaging. However, I stress that this is unlikely the cause of a total lack of heat detection. Though the subject’s external tissue layer was dead, the underlying heat of the body should have still produced some form of heat signature. Granted that heat signature would have been greatly diminished. Lacking a better explanation I must speculate that the sensitivity of the cameras used was such that it failed to properly identify the targets, though my good friend Pol disagrees with me on this issue. Unfortunately I was unable to check the core body temperature of the subjects due to the need to treat our wounded men.”
The documentary ended at that point and Jim opened the floor for questions.
The first question came from a strike team leader who asked, “So these guys weren’t really vampires? They were just another version of doped up outlaws?”
Jim knew that this explanation was thin, and that in regards to Flavious, he knew that it wasn’t the case at all. There was no way that he could prove what he knew about Flavious, therefore he’d let the story stand for the entire group and move on.
“Aside from the cult aspects I’d say you covered it fairly well. However the purpose of this meeting is to make you all aware that the cults we once considered harmless need to be reexamined. In the wake of the collapse of society such cults may take their belief structure to the next level just as this cult did in Alabama,” Jim responded.
Another peacekeeper raised his hand and Jim recognized Captain Cliff Barnes of California. “The introduction of the flying automobiles will make communications and travel much easier. My question is what happens if several cults with the same belief structure merge? For example, both Los Angeles, and San Francisco have vampire cults. Prior to this incident we considered them fringe nuts.”
“Check with the officials of the cities. See if an inordinate number of people are going missing or are being found murdered and drained of blood,” Jim said.
“Unfortunately people go missing there a lot,” Cliff responded. “There are a lot of gangs in Los Angeles and they account for many disappearances as they fight each other.”
“That will make your task more difficult. Send teams to quietly learn what you can. But remember these people may be prepared to kill. Be discrete and be careful. Your point also brings up another issue. Gangs are becoming more aggressive too. We have to watch all these fringe groups as best we can and be prepared to deal with them if they get out of hand,” Jim explained.
“How do we prevent another massacre, such as the one that happened in Birmingham?” Cliff asked.
“I’m glad you asked that question. First we’ve got to wean ourselves from ground transportation. Had the convoy been in a ship, the personnel would have been safe. We have the ability to build ships but are hindered by material availability. The materials are there, we just can’t pay for it at a fast enough rate to equip the other states as we’d like, or even this state. Gentlemen, we need transport ships, but first we have to outfit the states with no patrol ships. That all comes down to supplies. As you know we have a standing contract with Reager Industries for the Huxley alloy, but the supplies coming in are not sufficient. We have the capability here at the base to build two patrol ships a month now but are constantly waiting for more of the alloy and the chemicals needed for the batteries.”
“Maybe it’s time the other states see what sort of arrangements we can make within our boarders to secure trade goods which we can trade to the companies for raw materials,” Cliff suggested.
“That would be an immense help,” Jim conceded. “The Detroit auto facility has expressed an interest in building armored personnel carriers for us if we can come up with a means to purchase them. They’d be about half the size of the patrol ships, and could carry twenty personnel. Those ships could serve as transport ships. We’d have to arm them of course, and they wouldn’t really be set up for sleeping arrangements, but in a pinch they’d do. Just park in sleep mode like the bigger ships. Even if someone with a flying car approached them, they’d be unable to board because the doors would be sealed. And they’d be primarily transports, so there’s no need to arm them to the teeth.”
“Now that sounds promising, especially if they could carry cargo in an emergency. I know we have the trucking fleet for most of that,” another peacekeeper said.
“It all comes down to the means to pay gentlemen. The technology is available, but we need to find the means to capitalize on the availability,” Jim explained. “Reager Industries has the capacity to meet their current orders and an increase production sufficiently to supply us if we can find the means to pay.”
Ramon Marino spoke up for the first time. He was present because he would be the base commander of the Havana Cuba base when his team was ready. Ramon said, “Gentlemen, I think we Cubans can assist you in this need. We have contacts in Cuba with several tobacco farmers. If you can secure trade items such as clothing, tools, communications equipment, or other items rare in Cuba, then we can arrange for trades for you. Those items can be traded for good Cuban cigars which are valued in America.”
“And the trade will help the economies of both nations,” Pol said smiling.
“That’s an excellent suggestion, Ramon,” Jim stated.
“Tennessee’s distilleries are producing again. We could trade them some of the Cigars for the bourbon,” the Tennessee base commander stated. “That liquor could be traded as payment for additional materials we need, since the factories would only accept so many cigars.
That led to thirty minutes of each representative state coming up with a list of items they could obtain to arrange trade deals. At one point Pete whispered to Jim, “We should have done this a long time ago. Look how everyone wants to contribute.”
Finally, Jim stood and said, “The next thing we need to d
o is see to it that we get the materials needed to expedite ships for the states that do not as yet have one. Gary Nobel from Colorado, Torey Gilliam from Oregon, Peter Wesley from Washington State, and Todd Baxter from Oklahoma have all waited too long for their ships, and the Cubans will need one as soon as the other states have theirs. By then they’ll have the personnel through the training and ready to crew a ship. Gentlemen let’s pool our resources and try to make this happen.”
Pausing to let that sink in Jim added, “We also need another run of fighters made up. Cuba needs twenty and some of the western states need their current wings brought up to strength. So as you can see gentlemen, if we are to wean ourselves from ground transportation we have a lot of work to do.”
Pausing for a moment Jim said, “One of the things that we the council feel should be implemented is a Captain’s council. That council will formally do what many of you are already doing, which is to keep you in touch with other captains. In this manner, you can exchange knowledge gained from your various experiences and all of you will be enriched in the process. I disqualify myself as the head of that council. I’m frankly too busy as a council member to take on the additional duty. I will attend the meetings so that I too can benefit from the exchange of knowledge and hopefully contribute to the information pool,” Jim stated.
Captain Bill Young stood up and said, “In that case I nominate the next most senior captain in the fleet. Captain Cliff Barnes of the California.”
The assembled captains rose to their feet. One man shouted, “I second the nomination!” Another said, “I make it third!”
“Gentlemen, all in favor of making Captain Barnes the leader of the captain’s council say aye,” Jim said.
“Aye,” said numerous voices.
“All opposed say nay,” Jim said. The room remained silent. Jim let the silence reign for ten seconds and then he said, “So be it. Captains, I present your first council leader, Captain Cliff Barnes.”
There was a thunderous round of applause. Cliff was a popular captain. Jim knew for a fact that he had often counseled other captains when they needed someone to talk to as sometimes happened when they had a problem or had lost a crewman. Only another captain could truly understand what that was like.
The peacekeepers adjourned for a meal, after which they would return to the meeting to conclude their business. During the meal, Jim saw Cliff approach Pete and speak to him for a moment. Pete smiled and nodded his head. Pete turned and consulted with Tim for a moment and then Tim leaned forward and said something to Cliff. Jim saw Cliff depart then and round up the other captains for a quick meeting. He started to rise himself to go and attend the meeting.
“Relax, Jim,” Pete said. “He’s just organizing the first meeting. He’ll get back to you on when and where they’ll meet. I told him you’re still pretty banged up from the battle with Flavious and Clarissa.”
“You told the truth there. If I got this banged up wearing armor, I think they’d have killed me if I hadn’t had it equipped,” Jim said.
“I’ve never seen the armor cracked like that from hand to hand fighting,” Tim observed. “They must have hit like a mule kicks.”
“Well, I’ve never been kicked by a mule, but if they kick as hard as Flavious punched then it’s not an experience I’d appreciate,” Jim said laughing as he returned his attention to the remnants of his soup.
A few minutes later, the entire group of captains came to stand before the council’s table. Captain Cliff Barnes, acting as spokesman for the group, said, “Sirs, the council of captains wishes to inform you that we have decided that the fleet needs an admiral. Someone who officially takes charge of the entire fleet should the need arise. Since Captain Jim Wilison does this job we feel that he deserves the honor of bearing the official title.”
Jim was stunned. Never in his wildest dreams had he thought of himself as an admiral. But the rest of the council stood and voiced their approval and when Jim stood as well there was a thunderous applause from all of the assembled peacekeepers. Jim noted that even the people serving mess hall duty stopped what they were doing to add their applause.
“Speech!” shouted someone in the back.
“I still get to be captain of the Peacekeeper right?” Jim asked and everyone laughed.
“Yes, Jim. We’re not grounding you,” Pete said.
“In that case, thank you,” he said. “I was just getting accustomed to being called captain,” he sighed and the room erupted into laughter again.
Chapter 25
The crew of the Constitution was nervous. For five days, they had worked hard to prepare for this moment. Bill requested that Holly patch him into the intercom. When she signaled that the connection was established, he keyed the microphone and said, “Lieutenant Carter, please prepare your team for the special mission.”
“Yes, Captain,” the lieutenant promptly answered.
Bill asked, “Peter, are you sure the system you rigged will permit them to fly the sled over a building without catapulting them?”
Bill was referring to what would normally happen when the electromagnetic emitter passed over a structure. If the vessel flying was at an altitude of fifty feet and passed over a structure forty feet tall then the vessel would leap into the sky to adjust for the preset altitude. The mainline ships, drones, and fighters all had computer control systems to prevent this from occurring but the sleds were primitive by comparison. As much as Bill wanted to accomplish this mission, he did not want to do so at the expense of his crew.
“I’m certain, Captain. I had Pol and Patricia double check my work and they signed off on the concept,” Peter explained.
Nodding his understanding, Bill then said, “Holly, tell Melissa to fly cover for the sled while the men are outside the ship. When they have accomplished their mission we will launch all drones for their mission.”
“Done, sir,” Holly reported moments later.
“You are ready to transmit the video feed to all of the bases, ships, and of course to our Reager Industries and Detroit auto manufacturing facility friends?” asked Bill.
“Yes, sir, and to all of the major cities in our network. This should be something to behold, sir,” Holly said smiling.
“The music will be loud enough to be picked up by our video equipment here?” Bill asked.
“Yes, sir. I took the liberty of making a couple of tweaks. The music will be in stereo. If the receiving systems have that capability, then they’ll receive quite a show,” Holly assured him confidently.
When it came to electronics, Holly had Bill’s confidence.
“Lieutenant, launch your party on the mission, and have your team ready to assist the drones with their cargoes,” Bill ordered.
In a few minutes, the sled flew past. It traveled slowly. The sled wasn’t designed for speed. Bill could see five men inside the sled and he watched as it flew over the target building effortlessly. Soon the sled team had accomplished their mission, and they were en route back to the Constitution. The ten drones flew past the sled and four of the five men aboard the sled came to rigid attention and saluted the drones and their precious cargoes while the remaining man flew the sled. “The tape is rolling, sir,” Holly reported. “That was a nice, spontaneous reaction.”
“Indeed it was,” Bill said. His voice was heavy with emotion.
Moments later the ten drones had arrived at their assigned positions. Next, the fighters took up their assigned positions hovering protectively over the structure. The music began to play a concert version of The Star Spangled Banner. Holly had outdone herself. It seemed to Bill that each drone was playing the part of one specific class of musical instrument. Bill felt tears roll down his cheeks as he watched the spectacle before him.
***
In Reager Industries, the employees were in their break room where Bob Reager had a large screen television set up. When the video feed began, the people in the room rose to their feet of their own volition. There on the screen before them was
the immaculate lawn of the White House. Above the capital now flew a brand new American flag. In front of the White House, spaced five to each side, hovered the ten drones with ten American flags fluttering in the breeze below them. Above the capital building hovering protectively were four peacekeeper fighters, with one fighter facing in each of the four cardinal directions. Then the music began to play through the speakers. It was the national anthem. With that majestic music playing Bob Reager said, “Just look what we have helped to accomplish!” There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
***
From Florida to California, sitting before television screens and monitors, men, women, and children watched that feed and felt their emotions soar. It had been many years since they’d last seen that historic icon in its full splendor bracketed by so many American flags. Some of the younger children viewing the spectacle had never seen the nation’s capital before.
Aboard the Peacekeeper in the mess hall, the crew had gathered to watch the incoming feed on a large screen television that was permanently mounted to the wall for just such occasions. Pete stood and quietly said, “Well done old friend,” as he watched the magnificent video feed and felt the vibrations of the music striking a chord in his soul. He knew Bill had transported several lawn tractors to the capital to groom the grounds prior to the ceremony. The men had done an excellent job.
Patricia was openly weeping. Pol was close to doing so himself. Tim stood and saluted. He didn’t bother to wipe the tears from his cheeks.
The cook and the strike force team stood at attention and saluted. Lieutenant Wilcox wished that he were there in person to see that magnificent moment unfold.
Admiral Wilison stood saluting and thinking, “Never before has the last verse of that song been more relevant. Yes! You still wave over the land of the free, and the home of the brave. Someday we’ll see you truly restored. Maybe not the same as before. Hopefully better.”