by Bobby Akart
President Harman covered her typical mundane matters regarding domestic programs and spending. She rarely led a cabinet meeting with matters of international importance. Like so many presidents before her, she made every attempt to kick the can down the road when it came to tough decisions. But as years passed, America’s adversaries that remained unchecked got stronger and more dangerous.
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the DPRK, as North Korea was commonly referred to, was a perfect example. Secretary Gregg, like most within the military, saw the conflict escalating to a point where war was inevitable. The U.S. had now lost its military advantage as the war of words between the two countries had allowed the Hermit Kingdom time to develop a full nuclear arsenal. Today, in front of the cameras, Secretary Gregg intended to bring the matter to a head.
Chapter 8
October 31
The Roosevelt Room
The White House
Washington, DC
“Madame President, war with North Korea is inevitable,” said Secretary Gregg, a man not known for mincing words. He’d made his position known more than once when testifying in front of Congress and in a much maligned interview with 60 Minutes in which he clearly stated President Harman’s inaction was detrimental to America’s national security.
“Look, we’ve been through this before, Secretary Gregg,” started the president. “We’ve reached the highest level of sanctions that our ambassador to the United Nations can achieve. I have been extremely vocal in making our position clear without unnecessarily provoking Kim Jong-un. Now we let the sanctions and geopolitical pressure do its job to force Pyongyang into a peaceful resolution.”
“Madame President, if I may continue,” gruffed the former general. “In July, I outlined the Defense Department’s reasoning for its war recommendation. Over the last three decades, North Korea has advanced toward developing a nuclear-tipped intercontinental ballistic missile. Each administration took the same approach as the current one—condemnation, political pressure, and UN sanctions.”
“Mr. Secretary,” said Chief of Staff Acton, attempting to stave off a potential verbal conflict in a room full of media, “this topic has been addressed repeatedly and, I might add, behind closed doors.”
Secretary Gregg scowled at Acton and continued as if he hadn’t spoken a word. “We have now entered a realm of bad choices. Kim Jong-un has proven the pundits right. He has shown that our threats of military action on the Korean Peninsula was nothing more than bluster. While we’ve engaged in a war of words, he’s not only developed ICBMs capable of striking all corners of the United States, but his arsenal has now surpassed that of India and Pakistan. He’s capable of attacking us on multiple fronts while launching against our allies Japan and South Korea at the same time. The time for talk and empty measures is over. We simply must act now before the DPRK brings the war to our shores.”
The president leaned forward in her chair and stared down the table at her defense secretary. “Secretary Gregg, while there is still hope of a diplomatic breakthrough that can change the DPRK’s path, we must energetically and exhaustively pursue those breakthroughs. If or when those efforts fail, then we’ll explore the options you so anxiously seek to employ.”
“May I add something?” asked Jane Tompkins, the Secretary of State.
“Please,” said the president, gesturing to Secretary Tompkins to take the floor. “There are many options available to us short of a military conflict in the region. While this is not popular with some in this room, the United States could accept North Korea’s development of the ICBMs for the sole purpose of achieving a stable deterrence relationship with us.”
“Hrrrmph,” grunted Secretary Gregg. He stared at Secretary Tompkins and shook his head in disbelief. He whispered under his breath, “Naïve.”
“Monty, let me finish, please,” continued Secretary Tompkins, who noticed his reaction. “By choosing not to act militarily, as has been the U.S. position for decades, North Korea has peacefully continued its program, which included a long-range atmospheric nuclear test over the Pacific Ocean. Their recent successes have, quite frankly, provided a very real deterrent from our intervention. As their arsenal expands and diversifies, the State Department believes Pyongyang will be more likely to stand down in order to protect its newfound status on the world stage.”
“You are absolutely ignoring the warlike history of the Hermit Kingdom and the consequences of standing down while their weapons proliferate,” Secretary Gregg snapped back. “Now that the DPRK has achieved a survivable second-strike capability and a supposed nuclear deterrence relationship with our country, Kim Jong-un is completely unrestrained with respect to their goal of reunification of the Korea Peninsula under the Kim dynasty’s rule and their longstanding feud with Japan. What would be our response if the DPRK launched conventional missiles into Seoul or Tokyo, killing scores of civilians? Will this administration authorize a robust military response to defend our allies? Would we caution South Korea and Japan against escalating the conflict in fear that a weakened or threatened North Korea might retaliate with nuclear warheads launched against our homeland?”
“These are all hypotheticals,” interrupted Secretary Tomkins.
“You call them hypotheticals, but at the Pentagon, we call these realistic scenarios in our planning to defend this great nation. And let me add this. For those seeking a peaceful, political resolution, consider how this makes America look in the eyes of its allies in the region and around the world. We’ll be humiliated as nothing more than a paper tiger—a boisterous, threatening menace that is ineffectual and unable to withstand the challenge of a rogue nation like North Korea. Consider what that means for our posturing in the Middle East against the Iranians. More importantly, NATO’s credibility would be destroyed, and Putin might pounce upon our weakness.”
“With all due respect, Monty, we are aware of your position,” argued Secretary Tompkins. “At the State Department, we are advancing the policies of the president. She has made it abundantly clear to me to continue our diplomatic efforts until the first bomb drops.”
Secretary Gregg shook his head in disgust. “Madame Secretary, whose heads are you willing to sacrifice for that first bomb you so casually refer to, hmmm?”
The Roosevelt Room became uncomfortably quiet. Secretary Gregg had lots more to say on the subject, but the reaction of the other members of the cabinet, the media in attendance, and the president’s nervous, fidgety hands said it all. This meeting was over.
Chapter 9
November 1
The Armstrong Ranch
Borden County, Texas
“Mornin’, Preacher,” Major greeted his longtime friend and the man he entrusted with the deployment of his ranch hands every day. Caleb O’Malley was no longer a preacher, having removed himself from the pulpit at the Mount Zion Baptist Church in nearby Big Spring decades ago. Major’s friend, who went by the nickname Preacher, had never disclosed the nature of what caused him to fall from grace. All Major knew was that Preacher Caleb O’Malley could no longer preach to his congregation, but it didn’t turn him away from God.
“Mornin’, Major. Ain’t nothin’ much goin’ on out of the ordinary. I’ve got some of the boys separatin’ the herd to get ready for the auction tomorrow morning in Abilene.”
“How many head you gonna run?” asked Major.
“I’m thinkin’ the large-frame feeder steers this go around. I reckon we’ve got seventy or eighty in the six- to eight-hundred-pound range.”
“Are you savin’ the heifers?” asked Major.
“I think I will,” replied Preacher. “I was lookin’ at Randy’s report online and saw a lot of ranchers are dumping feeder heifers right now. It’ll drive the price down. Nobody’s brought any cow-calf pairs, and we’ve got half a dozen of ’em. They’ll bring top dollar, maybe even fifteen hundred.”
“Well, you’ve got this, as always, Preacher. Ya got anything that needs tendin’ to?”
> Preacher removed his wool felt cowboy hat, worn from years of wear and aged to a dark brown. He ran his fingers through his thinning hair and stared out across the grasslands.
“If you could pick up the feedin’ and check on them boys on the south fence, I can focus on getting the herd ready for transport. We’ll pull out pretty dang early tomorrow mornin’, and it would be nice to turn in early tonight.”
“You got it,” Major responded. “I could use a full day in the saddle. Got lots to think about.”
“No problems, I hope,” Preacher said as he pulled his horse out of its stall.
Major laughed. “You know, it’s stuff I shouldn’t worry about and probably wouldn’t give it a second thought except I watch too much news.”
“You talkin’ about Governor Burnett’s re-election? I thought she was way ahead in the polls.”
“Yeah, she is,” replied Major. “As a matter of fact, I’m gonna see her in Lubbock in a few days when she comes out our way for a last-minute campaign stop. She’s a good friend to have, you know.”
“Yes, sirree. Especially if Texas secedes from the Union.”
Major slapped his friend on the back and then stood back in amazement as a cloud of dirt floated off his leather coat. He wondered how the man could get so dirty before the sun rose in the east for the day.
“Come on, Preacher. You know that’s all talk to keep her voters stirred up into a frenzy. That’ll never happen, and Washington would never allow it. They’re stuck with us, and unfortunately, we’re stuck with them.”
Preacher pulled his wiry six-foot frame on top of his horse and adjusted his seat in the saddle. “I wouldn’t be too sure, Major. This country is in a heckuva mess. People don’t go to church. They don’t dress up for work. Their kids are runnin’ all over without supervision, and lord knows what they’re bein’ taught in school.”
“Texas has all the same problems as the other states, don’t you think?” Major asked.
“Yeah, it’s because the federal guvment is forcing their morals and values on good God-fearin’ Texans,” Preacher replied.
Major rubbed the nose of Preacher’s horse. He agreed in many respects with his Christian conservative friend, but he didn’t want to get involved in a long political discussion first thing in the morning.
“I should never have given you that iPhone where you could listen to Glenn Beck on the radio,” quipped Major. “Go on now, round ’em up and cash ’em in tomorrow. I’ll tend to everything while you’re gone.”
Preacher encouraged his horse with pressure from his heels and began to leave in a slow trot, but not before he got in the last word. “You know I’m right.”
Major laughed and waved his arm, indicating Preacher should go on. Then he mumbled as he stood alone next to the barn. “Yeah, you’re right, but I’m afraid we’re heading for bigger problems than the loss of morality and social values.”
Chapter 10
November 1
The Armstrong Ranch
Borden County, Texas
Lucy Armstrong considered herself to be the last of a dying breed—an American housewife. She grew up in a religious, conservative family in Midland along with three brothers and a younger sister. Her teenage days were spent in suburbia, hanging out with her girlfriends and the occasional date with guys her own age. Her family stayed heavily involved in her academics and after-school activities, yet she never felt smothered. Lucy never felt that teenage urge to rebel and bolt from the nest. In fact, she’d enjoyed their life and envisioned it for herself.
To be sure, by modern standards in the early nineties, marrying at age nineteen was young. That was not necessarily the case in Texas. Today, the average age for women to get married in the state was twenty-five. In the early nineties, it was twenty-one. Over time, fewer couples respected the sanctity of marriage, as indicated by rapidly ascending divorce rates and children born out of wedlock.
As a teen, Lucy Cooper was determined to be different. She intended to marry the man of her dreams, be a devoted wife and mother, and end her days by his side on those matchin’ white rockin’ chairs that resided on the front porch. She wasn’t interested in being empowered or demanding equal pay or wearing pink hats or fighting for the rights of others.
She was only interested in loving and protecting her family. She truly didn’t understand why some might consider her choice as subservient or weak. Maybe, Lucy often thought, if more strong women chose the path of family instead of self-interest, our country might be in a better place.
Lucy was excited to join the Armstrong family after she and Major married. Because Major’s mother had passed away years prior, she was suddenly thrust into the role of the matriarch of the family at nineteen. Major’s dad, whom everyone called Pops, instantly took to Lucy. They became best friends during the early years.
Pops continued to look after the ranch while Major became a rising star within the Texas Rangers. Lucy managed the household and learned the ways of ranch life in a desolate part of the state. She’d reflected on those days many times and how it molded her outlook on life. She loved her husband and was anxious to have more babies, but she also had this innate desire to protect everyone within her charge.
This led her into homesteading. Lucy’s family had taught her self-reliance. Her mother told her that it didn’t matter whether your home was big or small, rural or urban, you could still manage to apply common-sense homesteading principles to your daily life.
Their home in Midland had a small garden in the backyard, which was Lucy’s domain. When she arrived at the Armstrong Ranch, she’d gazed in wonder at the crops that were growing just outside the white fence surrounding the ranch house. Because the Armstrong property included parts of the Texas version of the Colorado River as it opened up into Natural Dam Lake, also known as the J.B. Thomas reservoir, irrigation for their fields was not a problem. The Colorado River in Texas originates just south of Lubbock and meanders to the Gulf of Mexico. It was not connected to the more well-known Colorado River system that flows from the Rockies through Nevada and Arizona.
Unlike the arid grasslands that were predominant in this part of the West Texas, the area surrounding the Armstrong homestead was a bright green oasis of fertile land and pristine farmland, thanks to an extensive irrigation system put into place by Pops and his father decades ago.
Initially, Lucy had considered herself a traditional homesteader. She began to create a scrapbook of notes, articles, recipes, and checklists to keep herself organized. Soon, it was burgeoning with information, so she created a homesteading library, which included multiple three-ring binders.
One included recipes, canning techniques, and food storage tips. Another was devoted to gardening, especially as it related to crops that could be grown in their location. Major hired the wives of two ranch hands, and they helped Lucy manage the garden, which grew enough vegetables to feed the family every year.
One of her helpers, a Mexican woman who had come to Texas after her husband was naturalized, encouraged Lucy to include herbs and wildcrafting, the process of gathering plants from their natural growth habitat. Their interest in foraging led the two to set up a specially designated garden for home remedies and natural herbal supplements.
Over the years, as the kids entered high school, Lucy encouraged all of them to be active in the Texas FFA—the Future Farmers of America. She reminded Pops and her husband that there could be more to ranching than raising cattle. The result was the expansion of the Armstrong Ranch farther up the Colorado River for the addition of pigs, goats, chickens, and even honeybees.
Throughout the nineties, Lucy and the Armstrong family evolved into cattle ranchers and top-notch homesteaders. Everyone from Pops down to their youngest, Palmer, became actively involved in the day-to-day homesteading activities. It wasn’t a chore, it was a way of life and something the family enjoyed.
Then it got real.
Most Americans remembered where they were on September 11, 2001, the day
terrorists attacked their homeland. Major was working a case in Odessa, and Pops was out on the ranch. At that point, Duncan and Dallas were in school, and Lucy, eight months pregnant with Palmer, was home canning with the television playing in the background.
The first reports of the planes flying into the World Trade Center shocked her, and America, to her core. When the news reporters announced the second plane had crashed into the building, she knew it was not an accident. She gathered up Riley and Cooper to move them out of the room. She ran outside and found one of the hands, who was quickly dispatched to fetch Pops. If this was the start of something bigger—an unprecedented attack on America—she needed her family close by.
For many, 9/11 became a life-changing event. For Lucy Armstrong, it gave her the final nudge needed to elevate herself from a homesteader into a prepper. In that seminal moment, Lucy began to prepare for the worst threats that mankind could inflict upon one another—for the protection of her family.
*****
“Trick or treat,” shouted Palmer as she burst through the front door. It was late that afternoon when Lucy’s rodeo kids arrived home from their trip to North Dakota. “Momma, we’re home!”
“I hear ya,” Lucy replied dryly. “You’re a day late for Halloween, but I figured y’all would show up in time for supper today. Come here and give me a hug.”
Lucy wiped her hands off on her apron and greeted her daughter in the family room. She gave her youngest a hug and a peck on the cheek.
As part of the family’s routine when the three of them returned from a rodeo, Palmer pulled away and, like a young child, spun around in front of her mother. “Ready for inspection, Momma. No broken bones.”