by Rod Porter
“Don’t think for a minute that you ever have General Williams in line, Mr. Prime Minister,” Watkins said.
“I mean he was becoming agreeable. Willing to listen; to hear things out. General Anderson never approved much of politics or me. It is personal with him, a matter of principle. Williams may not be an ally, but with him, it is never personal.”
“I think you are overreacting. Not only that, but you are not giving yourself or me enough credit. I am a representative of the Quorum. You are the Prime Minister. Just because the former General harbors prejudice towards you does not mean that he is going to get Williams to see eye to eye with him on any or all matters. Jackson Anderson is far removed from the way things are. It is a brave new world. He could not handle politics back when they were far simpler. So simple, as I recall, that he did not have to deal with any matters he designated unimportant. Those days no longer exist. Even if he were to resume control of the resistance, the way things are now, he would not be able to ignore us. I dare say that he would be in over his head.”
Demoskeena paused and let Delegate Watkins catch his breath. The Prime Minister had struck gold with a protégé and ally as intelligent and cunning as Watkins. Demoskeena had first noticed Watkins’s potential months back, when he had challenged Colonel Cartwright and General Williams at an open-forum meeting in Jade. Demoskeena bided his time, and when the opportunity presented itself, the Prime Minister built a strong rapport with the young politician. Watkins was easily the most ambitious and respected member of the Quorum. He commanded fierce loyalty among his supporters and constituents, who made up the largest and most influential district in Jade, and it was well-known by all the other delegates that you did not want any of your agenda to be at cross-purposes with Watkins’s. Demoskeena worried that Watkins had his sights set on being the next Prime Minister. The office would be up for re-election in a year, but they would cross that bridge when they came to it.
“This is a very precarious situation,” Demoskeena said quietly.
“First things first,” Watkins said. “You need to go to Fort Anderson and give Jackson Anderson a hero’s welcome. You will need to organize some type of celebration or ceremony in his honor.”
Demoskeena shot Watkins a disgusted look.
“I recommend you make that a top priority, Mr. Prime Minister. Because if you do not suggest and promote it yourself, Williams will. And then he will be one step ahead of you. If you want to establish whatever positive aspects of a relationship can exist between you and the former General, you need to honor him properly. For better or worse, he is the man who created the American resistance, and that cannot be ignored. He also-rightfully, in hindsight-groomed Williams to take over for him one day. This has to be done.”
Watkins was sharp. He didn’t know that Demoskeena had already worked out all the angles minutes after the reports of Jackson’s return had broadcast. Demoskeena had merely wanted to see if Watkins was on the same page, and he obviously was. He and Watkins would be a better team than Williams and Anderson; of that, Demoskeena felt comfortable. Jackson was nothing more than a grunt soldier without a political bone in his body. Demoskeena hoped that was still the case. He readied himself for a trip to Fort Anderson. Jackson was alive, and the best military compound in the world was named after him. Oh, how that irritated the Prime Minister! But he would have to appear pleased at Jackson’s return for the media. Of all the political performances he had given, this would be his most difficult, and perhaps his most important.
The banquet organized in Jackson’s honor was, without a doubt, the single greatest and most extravagant event Jade had ever witnessed. There were thousands of guests, as practically the entire city turned out to honor him. The Prime Minister presented him with a medal for his distinguished service to Jade, and to the planet Earth, after speaking warmly about him in front of the congregation. Troy also gave a speech, reminding the audience that all the success, good fortune, cheer, and progress humanity had experienced in the past year was possible only because Jackson Anderson had dared to dream. He had dared to unite a group of individuals and let the aliens know that there were still some human beings who would refuse to be defeated; some humans who would fight to their last breaths before giving up their freedom.
Even the thousands of foreign civilians from affiliated countries who now called Jade home were impressed and anxious to meet him. Jackson was eternally grateful for the sentiments of the people. He had dreaded returning to Jade. For all he knew, it had collapsed under the weight of the failure of the island offensive and was no more than a shell of its former self. Thank God he had been wrong, and thank God for Troy Williams. Mentoring Troy had proved the correct decision.
Stephanie was so proud of her husband that her face had grown sore from smiling. He had told her how much the Unconformed meant to him, how much he had sacrificed and risked in shaping a fighting force that could one day bring freedom and liberty back to Earth. Now it looked like his vision was being realized. Their marriage was stronger than ever, and they danced with each other as the music played and the alcohol flowed. The city of Jade was nothing but one big party well into the early hours of the morning. The city had officially declared its first annual holiday, revolving around the return of the great visionary and warrior, Jackson Anderson.
Yet, some wondered that with Jackson back, who would maintain control of the resistance?
Troy and Jackson decided to have their own after-party in the privacy of Troy’s office in Jade. There was too much commotion in the city to make the return to Fort Anderson.
“I can’t get over how much this city has changed,” Jackson said, his words a little slurred from too much alcohol. “It seems to be ten times the size of when I last saw it. Not to mention all the people from different countries. How did you pull this off?”
“I had a good mentor,” Troy said, pouring himself another shot of rum.
“A Global Resistance. You conduct worldwide attacks?”
“Affirmative,” Troy responded. “Eight affiliated nations. We’ve even got our own air force now.”
“So I’ve been told. That’s incredible,” said Jackson. “Demoskeena’s become quite a powerful man.”
Finally, they came to the only issue that caused Troy concern. Troy remembered Jackson had had no time for politics. That simply would not fly anymore. The civilian government was very strong and very popular. Troy himself, and the majority of his soldiers, were all supportive of the government, recognizing that it was part of the solution. This was something that Jackson was going to have to accept if he was going to again be an integral part of the resistance.
“He’s still a snake in the grass,” Troy began, “but regardless of what you or I think of him personally, he has been vital in building all the success you see around you. I don’t know if I could have gotten anyone else to manage the government better than he has. They all listen to him and respect him. What’s more, they are afraid to cross him. He keeps them in line and pacified when necessary. Unless one hell of another candidate is produced, I will be supporting his reelection for a second term as Prime Minister.”
Jackson threw back another shot of tequila. Progress of the city and its government could not be ignored. Humanity was doing very well, on a level that he had been worried was no more than an unattainable fantasy. The comfort in which humans were living and progressing in Jade seemed like a dream, and clearly the head of the government had been a big part of that success.
“You just watch yourself, Troy. The man is not to be trusted. He’ll turn on you the second it furthers his agenda.”
Troy was relieved that Jackson had not contradicted anything he had just said. “Don’t worry, Jackson. I’m a pretty good General, but a damn good politician. Demoskeena knows not to cross me. There is a Quorum delegate, though, who has become his closest ally-delegate Watkins. What this ally really wants is the Prime Ministry. But we’ll have to see how it plays out.”
Jackson had to la
ugh as he asked, “So Tommy is protecting the Prime Minister personally, and Mickey is in Africa as a missionary?”
“That’s right. You should see some of the things Mickey has done over there. I get reports frequently from the African branches.”
“That was Mick,” Jackson mused. “Always putting others before himself. Can’t really imagine Tommy being a bodyguard though. He was a ruthless, thieving nomad, who had no code and swore no allegiance to anyone or anything, and now he is protecting the most powerful politician alive. I think I need to go to bed before my head starts spinning.”
“There is one more thing,” Troy said. “What are you going to do, now that you’re back?”
While the buzz around Jade was all positive about Jackson’s return, it was widespread common knowledge that everyone favored Troy retaining command of the resistance. Jackson had legendary status, but Troy was still a god in the eyes of the people. The Prime Minister and the rest of the government would also be unanimous in their support for Troy. They remembered what it was like dealing with Jackson, and none of those memories were fond. Furthermore, Jackson had no existing rapport with any of the foreign leaders.
“This is your show now, Troy,” Jackson said. “I don’t think I could run it, even if I got the chance. Too big and complex for an old-school warrior like me. I had enough trouble maintaining focus when the resistance didn’t reach across the ocean. I am looking for a job, though.”
“I think I can help you with that,” Troy said, relieved at Jackson’s approach to the situation. “I have a first officer. Colonel Cartwright has been instrumental in our success, but I don’t think he would mind if you took the official position. He will maintain rank, and be second in command only to you and me.”
“Good old Cartwright,” Jackson said. “Interesting choice. Let me think about it, and I’ll let you know. Right now, I’m going to get back to my wife and my kid. It’s good to see you again. You’ve done one hell of a job, General.”
Jackson excused himself with a drunken stagger to the door. Troy could not help but feel jealous. He was the powerful man in the room, the one wielding control of an army and boasting dominance over even the Prime Minister, to a degree, but it all felt inconsequential, compared to the prospect of retiring to his quarters with his wife and child. Troy had no one waiting in his bed for him. For a moment, he wished that he was Jackson, as he watched him walk out his office door. Troy would fall asleep alone.
Jackson had been gone no more than five minutes before there was a knock on Troy’s door. The office also doubled as his private quarters. Who would be knocking at such a late hour? He had spent the previous five minutes finishing his bottle of rum, trying to nullify his loneliness. But when he opened the door, he was relieved to see Myriad standing in front of him. She looked incredible. A tight-fitting black dress hugged her curves, and Troy had never seen her mid-length dark hair so clean and shiny before. Makeup outlined her big, brown eyes, and she had a bottle of alcohol clenched in her left hand. Like Troy, she showed clear signs of intoxication.
Neither of them said a word; they just stood in the doorway staring at one another for a few moments. Myriad stepped inside and closed the door without looking back. She took another swig from her bottle and rested it on his desk, then stepped in and kissed him gently.
Troy was not sure if the alcohol was to blame, or the special circumstances that surrounded the day’s festivities, but he had been dreaming of this moment ever since that night in the African jungle. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they made their way to the bedroom, where they both surrendered to their feelings.
“What made you decide to come?” Troy asked, lying on his back underneath the bed sheets.
Myriad rolled over on her side and looked at him. “You didn’t want me to?”
Troy gestured to the disorder of his room, caused by their lovemaking. “I think it’s obvious I wanted you to. It’s just that we’ve been avoiding each other ever since Africa. I was sure that we were just a one-time thing.”
“I understand that we both have major responsibilities.” Myriad sat up. “That we can’t afford distraction. But with the aliens in full retreat, it looks like we’re very close to the end of the war.”
Troy was confused. “What are you talking about, in full retreat?”
“Air force recon surveillance confirms it. I sent your office a briefing and the photos this morning. I imagine you’ll be brought up to speed before the end of the morning.”
Just then the phone by Troy’s bedside rang.
“Speak of the devil,” Myriad said. Troy continued to look at her, ignoring the phone for a moment. “This war is almost over, Troy. We can be together soon.”
Troy turned and answered the phone.
“Yes?” He listened for a moment. “Ten minutes,” he said, hanging up and looking back at Myriad. “I have to go.”
“I know,” she said with a smile.
“Be here when I get back?”
“Uh-huh.”
Troy leaned in and kissed her before dressing and heading out.
The War Room was illuminated in blue and purple shades of light. The operators sometimes worked twenty-hour shifts in the room, monitoring resistance operations that were currently in progress all over the planet and the colored shades of light were easier on their eyes. The door guard saluted Troy when he entered the room.
“General,” said one of the shift operators saluting smartly. “Sorry to have disturbed you so late, sir.”
Troy saluted back. “Not a problem, trooper. What do you have for me?”
They walked over to the board that represented the planet and the various fields of operations.
“It’s these photos we’ve got from the latest Eagle reconnaissance flights, sir. According to the photos and reports that we’re getting from affiliated ground troops across the globe, the aliens have totally withdrawn from the other countries. By our calculations, all enemy forces will be concentrated here in America within the next forty-eight hours. Their ranks inside our borders continue to grow rapidly, according to reports.”
Troy scratched his chin. “All branches are reporting the same activity?”
“That’s affirmative, sir. Every last one. Even our outposts and ground teams here at home are reporting large increases in the domestic enemy ranks, sir.”
“And the Eagle photos concur?”
“Yes, sir. The photos were what prompted me to wake you, sir.” The operator went over to a pegboard and removed a cluster of aerial photographs. Some of them were infrared and others were traditional. The operator laid them on the board for Troy to consult.
“If you look at the activity around the borders, sir,” the operator continued, referencing the photographs, “the alien movement is equivalent to what our ground forces are reporting. They are crossing the oceans and coming here as we speak, most likely to regroup and build their strength after losing their drones. We’ve got analysts working up different briefs with different possible scenarios and any potential targets the aliens might have.”
Troy regarded the photos and the information he had been given. He looked again at the images and compared them to one another. There was no more denial or speculation needed. The aliens were falling back to America and abandoning their strongholds around the planet. Why else would they be doing this, if not as a result of Operation Hammer? It was time to end this war. The best moment to crush an enemy was when they were at their weakest. Troy looked at the trooper who had been briefing him. “Get the Prime Minister on the horn,” he said.
“He wants me to be his First Officer.” Jackson found Stephanie waiting up for him when he returned to his quarters after leaving Troy.
“Well, that’s great, isn’t it?” Stephanie said, with a supportive twinkle in her eye. She was surprised to see the hesitation in Jackson. “Isn’t that why you came back here, Jackson? To get back into the fight? Finish what you started?”
“Yeah, but-”
“I
can’t see any better way,” she interrupted, “of having an impact to the cause than being the First Officer to the leader of the American branch of the Global Resistance.”
“It’s not him that makes me hesitate,” Jackson admitted. “It’s just the scope of it all. Everything has gotten so big. So political.” He said the word with a grunt of disgust. “The resistance stretches across a good portion of the planet, Steph. The Quorum is very powerful, as is the Prime Minister and even the War Council to a degree. When I was running things, they could be ignored. Now they’re free to meddle as much as they can.”
Stephanie took his hands in hers and looked him square in the eye. “Baby, you let Troy and whoever else he has on his staff deal with that. This position of Colonel is perfect for you. You’ll be free to focus on the military aspect of things. Leave the politics to people who are more interested in them. Like you said, the resistance is much bigger, and also like you said, Troy has a good head for politics. No doubt he has analysts and advisers for those areas. This is a great opportunity for you to have a position where you can just concern yourself with the fight. A fight, by the way, that you started.”
Jackson thought on that for a moment. She was right. He smiled at her and they kissed one another.
“Leave the talking to the talkers. You bull,” she said playfully.
They kissed once more and tucked themselves snugly into their warm bed. After glancing through the doorway to make sure that little Troy’s door was still cracked, they turned out the lights and drifted into a deep sleep in each other’s arms.
CONFERENCE
“That is correct, Prime Minister,” Troy said from behind his conference table. The turnout at the conference had been as spectacular, as anticipated. Thousands of civilians and press were transfixed on the proceedings, knowing full well that they were being broadcast over Jade’s airwaves. “All branches report the same activity. All surveillance photographs from the air force confirm these reports. The aliens have abandoned their posts in all affiliated countries and have regrouped here in America.”