by Bobby Akart
“Coop,” interrupted Morales, “it’s time.”
“Okay, everybody, here we go.” Cooper looked into everyone’s faces as he encouraged them. “We’ve got this, but just in case, have your rifles ready. We don’t know what those folks are capable of. Got it?”
“Yeah, let’s do it,” said Riley.
“You first, big brother,” said Palmer as she slapped Cooper on the back.
Cooper mounted his horse and began the thousand-yard ride in clear view of the men on the bridge. They would only be able to see him through binoculars, and he hoped the distraction of the travelers would keep the town guards focused on them rather than his group.
He reached the massive railway bridge without a problem and then dismounted. The bridge, formerly part of the Canadian Pacific Railway system, had been abandoned years ago. There were several tree limbs piled up in front to discourage pedestrians, but Cooper’s horse easily stepped over the debris. The four-foot-tall steel rails along the bridge helped obscure him from the highway bridge that could be seen in a distance.
As Cooper walked toward the other side, he quietly patted himself on the back for avoiding the pitfalls that awaited the family on the horse-drawn wagon. However, he became keenly aware of the extra time it took to make this crossing. Suddenly, Texas seemed like a long way from where he was.
Chapter 44
November 29
Oldman River
Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada
Cooper found a low spot behind a stand of trees and waited as Pacheco crossed without difficulty. Once Palmer started her ride, Cooper left and headed for the highway to cross into the field. As he rode, he constantly surveilled the fields to his left and right, looking for any signs of activity. There was a white block house to their west, but it appeared to be abandoned. There were no vehicles parked near it, and one of the windows had been broken out.
He reached the highway and crossed into the field, where he settled in to observe his surroundings. There was no pedestrian traffic or riders on horseback. It was deserted and appeared to be a perfect way to avoid town. The melting snow even provided him a pretty good view to the south along the small county road.
Within minutes, Pacheco joined him, which meant Palmer was standing watch on the other side. He sent Pacheco ahead toward their meeting place at McBride Lake. When Palmer arrived, Cooper sent her south as well, and he ventured onto the highway after retrieving the binoculars. Standing in the middle of a major highway without fear of oncoming vehicles was odd to Cooper. It was serene in a way, even enjoyable. But best of all, there was no indication that they’d drawn the attention of the men guarding the highway bridge or any other residents of Fort Macleod.
Then the sound of a gunshot pierced the quiet surroundings. Followed by another and another. A final shot rang out and he could hear the sound of men shouting at the railroad bridge.
Cooper pulled his rifle from his scabbard and raced toward the gunshots. Horses were galloping in his direction, with one of the riders slumped over the front of his horse and the other rider waving his arms as they got closer. Cooper encouraged his horse to go faster as it trotted along the old rail bed. Within a minute, he met up with Riley and Morales.
Riley was shouting. “He drew on us, Coop! The guy shot Morales in the back!”
The three horses almost collided as the adrenaline of both rider and horse pumped through their bodies. Cooper regained control of his horse and swung him back around. He pulled alongside Morales, who had blood pouring from the back of his shirt.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A bell was being rung in Fort Macleod.
“They’re sounding an alarm in town!” shouted Cooper. He leaned over to Morales. “Can you ride?”
“Yeah, Coop. Go!” he said with a groan.
The warning bell was ringing again, and the sounds of vehicles could be heard in the distance. Cooper assumed the town had a few operating vehicles that were too old to feel the effects of the EMP.
“We can’t outrun their trucks,” he shouted as he took off toward the highway. “We need to go a little farther west and then head down through the fields to the lake. The trucks will get bogged down. Plus, we can use that tree line at the foothills over there for cover.”
Riley and Morales kept pace with Cooper. With Morales focusing on staying upright, Riley and Cooper continued to look behind them to see if they’d been discovered.
“They wouldn’t know where to start,” Cooper shouted to Riley. “Our tracks go in both directions. I hope they go to the railway bridge first. That’ll buy us some time.”
Minutes later they traveled up an incline and found themselves in the middle of a wind farm. Dozens of two-hundred-foot-tall wind turbines dotted the landscape. The large three-blade structures slowly turned with a swooshing sound. As they crested the top of the hill where the farm had the most turbines in operation, they were able to see McBride Lake in the distance.
“Whoa,” Cooper instructed his horse to stop. He was still holding the binoculars in his left hand. While he had the high ground, he elected to see if they were being pursued. If not, he’d slow the pace after looking into Morales’s wounds.
“What about it, Coop?” asked Riley.
“Nothing. I think we’re good.” Cooper dismounted and grabbed the reins of his horse and walked over to Morales. “How’re you doin’, buddy?”
Morales opened his coat with his right hand and revealed his left shoulder. “Caught me in the shoulder. I think it went all the way through.”
“He shot you in the back?” asked Cooper.
“Yeah,” replied Riley. “The guy came out of nowhere waving a pistol. He shot Morales and then drew on me. I shot him, Coop. Twice. I mean, I knocked him down with the first round, and then, like, well, I finished him off.”
Cooper looked around again and mounted his horse. “Morales, listen. It looks like the bullet came through your shoulder and out the other side. I think that’s a good thing, but honestly, I don’t know. Are you sure you can keep riding? We’ve got a couple of miles to go.”
“I’m good, Coop, but I’m gettin’ cold. I know the sun’s warmer than yesterday, but it seems to be gettin’ colder, you know?”
Coop knew what that meant—shock. He turned to Riley. “Riley, I need you to ride ahead and find the others. Immediately find a place to camp for the night where we can keep our fire hidden from this road. Look on the west side of the lake, got it?”
“Yeah, what about you guys?” asked Riley.
“We’re gonna take it easy so Morales doesn’t get banged around too much. He’s losing blood. Tell them to get a tent ready, fire, boiling water, and the medical supplies. We’ll be along shortly.”
“Got it!” said Riley as he turned to ride.
“Riley, make sure the camp is hidden from the road. These guys will come looking for us.”
“I’m on it!” he replied as he took off.
“Coop, your brother saved my life,” Morales said in a whisper as he mustered his strength to talk. “I never saw the guy comin’. He would’ve put another bullet in my back if Riley hadn’t shot him first.”
Cooper looked to the sky and rolled his neck on his shoulders. He recalled the conversations he’d had with Duncan and Dallas after they’d killed someone in battle. A lot of guys never get over it, Duncan had said. It really messes them up.
Cooper thought of those words as he considered the mental anguish his brother might be going through. Then he wondered to himself how many others they would have to kill before they arrived at the Armstrong Ranch.
Chapter 45
November 29
Main Post, Fort Hood
Killeen, Texas
The state of Texas had implemented an extravagant closed-circuit television system for the primary purpose of monitoring traffic conditions across the state. In addition, as a cost-savings measure, the governor’s office instructed state workers in outlying counties to communicate with their various dep
artment heads in Austin via the closed-circuit system rather than waste time and taxpayer dollars on lengthy travel.
After her reaching an agreement with Secretary Gregg yesterday, and based upon her optimism regarding today’s secession vote, Governor Burnett instructed her chief security officer to equip the Main Post at Fort Hood with closed-circuit TV access.
Today’s special session of the Texas legislature regarding the secession vote had been closed to all media and the public. It would not be broadcast to any outlets except those connected to the CCTV communications network.
Secretary Gregg was joined at Fort Hood by Adjutant General Deur to discuss bolstering the state’s border defenses. The debacle at the I-10 bridge near Beaumont had created a perception problem for the governor and her efforts. Several legislators began to question whether secession was feasible. Secretary Gregg and Deur were charged with finding ways to avoid the mass buildup of refugees at their border and to consider involving the military in the effort.
They paused from their deliberations to watch as the CCTV cameras went live, broadcasting the vote across the state. They caught the tail end of the governor’s speech.
“Texas is more than a place on a map. It’s our home and the place where we raise our families. Unlike other states, Texas has not been co-opted by the political points of view of outsiders. We have resisted the federal government’s offers of grants and appropriations in order to force morals and values upon us that Texans don’t agree with.
“Now we face a dilemma. All of our efforts, all of our planning, everything we’ve sacrificed has come down to this moment. Washington intends to strip us of our resources, including energy, food, and quite possibly, monetary reserves. They’ve made it clear that Texas belongs to Washington and the federal government. I disagree.
“Texans have taken measures to prepare for this type of catastrophic event while other states have spent their money like drunken sailors in a brothel. It would not be fair to Texans, nor would it solve America’s problems, to allow the federal government into our borders for the purpose of leading us down the same path of ruin that they face.
“My fellow Texans, the bottom line is this. We have a duty to protect our citizens, first and foremost. The only way to accomplish that task is to remain strong, free, and independent. Secession is the only way, and today we can take the steps to recreate the Republic of Texas once and for all.
“Join me in this historic vote as we declare Texas to be free and independent. Vote a resounding yes for secession from the United States!”
The camera panned the joint session of the Texas legislature as nearly all of the one hundred fifty members of the legislature and thirty-one senators stood to applaud.
Secretary Gregg laughed and shook his head. “She can fire them up, can’t she?”
“Oh, yes,” said Deur. “I’ve watched her so many times. She has a knack for reading the crowd and telling them exactly what they need to hear to follow her lead. Don’t tell her I said this, but she’s a lot like a fortune-teller in that respect. She watches for reactions and expressions that give her insight into her audience. If something is working, she continues to emphasize that point. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“It’s an incredible talent, to be sure,” said Secretary Gregg. “Between us, will she be able to withstand the enormous pressure that President Harman will put on her? This news will hit Raven Rock like an H-bomb, pardon the pun.”
“She’s tough as nails and has nerves of steel. When she’s standing on her convictions, nothing will back her down.”
“That’s good,” started Secretary Gregg. “What you and I are planning for the protection of the new Republic of Texas will certainly not be deemed acceptable to President Harman and may cause Texans to shudder as well.”
“Are you talking about the rules of engagement for the folks manning the border blockades?”
“Yes,” said Secretary Gregg. “I experienced a period of time in the Middle East when the ROEs caused our troops more deaths than the enemy. Soldiers and law enforcement personnel can’t be restrained in doing their duty by political concerns.”
“I don’t disagree, but it may be difficult to convince our people to fire upon their fellow Americans when the time comes.”
Secretary Gregg took a deep breath and exhaled before he spoke. “That’s just the thing, Deur. Those people on the other side of the border are no longer fellow Americans. They’re from another country, and they’re trying to enter ours.”
Chapter 46
November 29
Sinmi-do, North Korea
For the rest of the morning, Duncan performed a variety of stretching exercises to bring his stiff body back to life. By lunchtime, he was able to climb the stairs to allow filtered sunlight to wash his body. He no longer felt like he was being held captive in a dungeon even though he voluntarily stayed in the basement for the safety of the family.
After a light lunch, he resumed his exercise, stepping up the pace in the cramped basement to the point he could jog in place for several minutes at a time. He was not ready to run a marathon, but he would certainly rely upon his drive and desire to hike up the mountain in search of his rifle.
Sook returned shortly after lunch. “Father and I took the small skiff up the river near the point where you fell in. He recognized the creek pouring over the bluff. He is certain the creek is the place to begin looking.”
“How far upriver can we take the boat, and is it possible to climb the mountain?” asked Duncan.
“Walking up the road might draw attention, and we do not have a car. Father will take us by boat to a trail. That trail will lead up to the bluff. Then we can approach the road through the woods. It will be much safer.”
“When can we leave?” he asked.
Sook reached into her left pocket and pulled out Duncan’s knife and sheath, which he strapped around his leg. Then she removed his sidearm from her other pocket and set it on the bed next to him.
He hesitated, and before he picked it up, he considered the fact this was a huge leap of faith for Sook’s family. They were now placing their trust in this unknown American. Duncan stood and reached out his hands to Sook.
She took them and looked down to the floor. Duncan was more than a foot taller than she was. He leaned down to look into her eyes.
“Sook, thank you. I have prayed and thanked God for you since the moment I woke up. I will do my best to protect you and your family. Okay?”
Sook smiled and then surprised Duncan with what she said. “We, too, have prayed to God for your health, recovery, and safety.”
Duncan was surprised. “Wait. You have? You’ve prayed for me?”
“Yes, Duncan, we have. We are Christians, but it is a well-hidden secret, just as we hide you. There are many of us in North Korea. We cannot practice our faith, as religions are forbidden and severely punished.”
“I had no idea,” mumbled Duncan.
“The Great Leader, Kim Il-sung, only allowed the state philosophy of Juche, which means self-reliance. Dear Leader has said individuals are the masters of their own destiny, and as a collective, all North Koreans are masters of the revolution to achieve true socialism.”
“Do you have a Bible?”
“Yes. My grandfather gave it to Father before he died. The pages are worn, but the words are alive within us.”
Duncan smiled and spontaneously hugged Sook, which surprised her. Yet she didn’t pull away. He finally leaned back and they broke their embrace.
“Sook, you and I, with God’s help, will leave here safely. I believe we’ve been brought together for this reason. You are an angel and I am one of God’s soldiers. Together, we’ll survive.”
She wiped a tear from her face and smiled. “Yes. Time to go.” As she led Duncan to the stairs, she provided him a tattered jacket and a fisherman’s cap. Duncan found them to be a perfect fit, and he pulled the cap over his face.
As he emerged at the top of the stairs,
nine women and children awaited him. They all looked at him in wonder as he towered over the group. Slowly and cautiously, the children approached him and hugged his legs. Soon, he was surrounded by half a dozen young kids under the age of eight. He reached down and picked up the youngest, a little girl barely out of diapers. She grinned from ear-to-ear and playfully grabbed at his cap.
Duncan suddenly wished he had a camera to show the world what life in North Korea was really like. It wasn’t just made up of wealthy dictators and unscrupulous soldiers. There were families trying to survive with few or no possessions. Eating was just part of the challenge. Avoiding suppression from Kim Jong-un’s tyrannical rule was the other. This Christian family, in the most unexpected part of the world, had taken him in, an American, and nursed him back to health despite the risk of being separated and thrown into work camps.
All they asked in return was he help the family’s oldest child find a better life away from this madness. Duncan promised God he’d deliver on that commitment.
Chapter 47
November 29
McBride Lake
Alberta, Canada
Palmer readied the tent and gave instructions to Riley and Pacheco. She had studied how to deal with gunshot wounds with her mother. The two women of the Armstrong family had taken it upon themselves to learn about first aid techniques and dealing with certain types of trauma. They agreed there was no substitute for a real medical professional, but after TEOTWAWKI, they would have to act as the family medical team.