Pedestals of Ash

by Joe Nobody

  With the sacking of Washington, the House and Senate hadn’t convened for months. There were two cabinet positions that hadn’t been confirmed and of course, the vice president was dead. The two men from Treasury were really Secret Service agents and Sophia quickly put two and two together. The president was dead, and the country needed a new leader.

  This wasn’t the first time in the nation’s history that succession had been an issue. Starting in 1849, President Polk’s term expired on a Sunday, and president-elect Taylor refused to be sworn in on the holy day due to religious beliefs. For one day, a man by the name of David Atchison, President pro tempore of the Senate, was technically acting as president. Or so he claimed.

  Succession has been invoked 11 times in the history of the United States. Not all of the transfers have been smooth or non-controversial. In recent times, President Nixon’s looming impeachment would have been yet another example. At one point in time, there was a vice president vacancy, given the resignation of Spiro Agnew. Fortunately, Vice President Ford was confirmed before Nixon resigned, allowing him to be sworn in without controversy.

  Sophia quickly summarized there were two issues involved. The first centered on whom exactly was the Speaker of the House and President of the Senate. The Speaker was elected on the first day of every new Congress, but since there had been no elections, it wasn’t clear who that person would legally be. The Senate’s president pro tem was conventionally the longest serving senator of the majority party, but still required appointment. With the known death and unknown whereabouts of several senior senators after the collapse, who exactly was the third in line for succession?

  Sophia informed the men that she would be happy to perform the research, but the lack of electricity and access to computer systems would make the task next to impossible. She was going to need access to several different libraries as well.

  The men from Treasury were ready for that response, and informed Sophia that they would take her to a facility that should provide her with everything she needed. They even offered to escort her home so she could pack a few nights worth of clothing as she may be away for a while.

  Within an hour Sophia was being driven through depressing, desolate streets of Washington on her way to a remote location in Virginia. It was there, she was assured, full access to everything she needed would be provided.

  As they snaked their way through Washington’s side streets, Sophia noticed several tow trucks pulling cars. She had sat and looked out her apartment window for weeks without seeing any traffic and few pedestrians. The scarce people she did observe on the streets looked like an undesirable element and she had quickly moved away from the window.

  She asked one of the men in the front seat what was happening with the towing.

  The agent in the passenger seat responded, “The military is trying to clear a path through the main streets and freeways. They have commandeered over 100 tow trucks and are trying to clear one lane each direction. They are taking all of the cars and trucks down to the football stadium’s parking lot.”

  Sophia nodded her understanding and continued gazing out the window. “That should help the city get moving again, I would think. This has always been a commuter town.”

  The agent agreed, but shocked Sophia with his next statement. “I heard one report that even with 100 tow trucks, it was going to take them over four months just to clear the beltway.”

  “My goodness,” responded Sophia, “why don’t they just put gas in the cars and drive them off?”

  The agent laughed and said he had asked the same question, “The response I received was that the cars didn’t have keys, and many had been looted for their batteries or tires and wheels. The military believed it was faster to tow them away than try and fill, repair and hotwire every single car.”

  Sophia settled back for the remainder of the ride. Several hours later, they pulled into the front gates of Fort Mead.

  Bishop watched as Terri put on her hiking boots and laced them up. She had just finished a prenatal examination performed by one the base’s doctors. The physician thought Terri was a little anemic, but otherwise having a healthy pregnancy. The lady doc had even come up with two large bottles of prenatal vitamins and given them to Terri with instructions regarding the proper dosage.

  Terri was in good spirits, so Bishop decided now was a good time to talk to her about the general’s offer. His wife listened without comment as he repeated the conversation. The couple was walking across the parade grounds when Terri stopped mid-stride and turned to her husband. “Do you want to do that Bishop? I didn’t think you liked being in the army much. Do you want to take the general’s offer?”

  Bishop looked up at the gray, cloudy sky, lost in thought. He finally shook his head and said, “Terri, I don’t think it’s the right job for me. What I do believe is that it’s the right job for you and the baby. There are doctors and medical care here. They have food and security. We could actually sleep in a bed with a real mattress. They even have shampoo!”

  Terri laughed at Bishop’s sales pitch and nodded her head. “I agree that life here would be a little bit easier, Bishop. But the ranch isn’t so bad. We have more freedom there, and it’s ours. I’m very happy there, and I think the baby will be too. When the time gets closer, we can go to Meraton like we planned, and let the doc there deliver the baby. I’m good with all of that.”

  Bishop smiled and said, “Are you sure? I’m glad to hear you say that, but are you positive it’s the right move?”

  Terri surprised Bishop, “No, I’m not sure it’s the right move. I’ve come to know a side of you in the last few months that I never knew existed. You have this desire to help fix things, and I can tell you want to be involved and make a difference. I think that’s what the general saw as well. Staying at the ranch is fine for the baby and me. What I’m not sure about is if it’s the right move for you. He is offering you a chance to help with rebuilding the country, and I don’t think you will have the same opportunity in Meraton.”

  Bishop didn’t reply. He took both of Terri’s hands and leaned forward, resting his forehead on hers. The couple stood like that for several moments. Bishop finally broke the silence, “You might be right. Do you know what my biggest problem with the whole thing is?” Bishop didn’t give her time to answer. “I’m not sure I would be joining the right side. The more I learn and see, the more attractive the Independents become. Let’s think about it for a little bit. Are you hungry?”

  Terri laughed, “I’m a pregnant gal in the land of plenty. What a silly question, my love.”

  The two joined hands and continued walking across the grounds.

  (The End)

  Epilogue (from the upcoming novel Holding Their Own IV: The Ascent)

  The lieutenant was escorted into Colonel Marcus’ tent by two burly soldiers, complete with a black cloth sack over his head. Marcus nodded at the closest guard, who turned to their guest. “Sir, it’s okay – you can remove the bag now.”

  The stranger’s arms slowly rose and lifted the cloth sack from his head. His eyes squinted for a moment as his vision adjusted to the light. “Can I offer you something to drink?” Colonel Marcus asked, almost embarrassed that the situation required such cloak-and-dagger tactics.

  “No, thank you sir, I’m only here to deliver a message and need to report back as soon as possible.”

  Marcus nodded his understanding, “Well, go ahead lieutenant, what’s the message?”

  He hesitated for a moment and then took a deep breath. “Before I do so, Colonel, I need to verify – are you the commander of this military force?”

  Marcus nodded and then decided to add, “Yes lieutenant, I am Colonel Marcus. I am in command here. Would you like to sit for a moment, lieutenant? I’ve been blindfolded before and know how disconcerting it can be.”

  The young officer shook his head and then caught himself, “Thank you, Colonel, I’ll be fine. I wasn’t quite sure how I would be received.”

&n
bsp; Marcus’s gaze snapped up at the two escorts standing by the entrance to the tent. The sergeant moved his head in a motion indicating, “We didn’t hurt him.”

  “Were you mistreated in any way by my men, Lieutenant?”

  It took the officer a moment to connect the dots. He seemed anxious to clear up the misunderstanding, “Oh, no, no, no sir. That’s not what I meant. Before I crossed your lines, it had been a concern. There are all sorts of rumors floating around, sir.”

  Marcus wasn’t going to be distracted by rumors, “Good. Now…the message, Lieutenant?”

  “Sir, this message is from General Peabody, Commander, Task Force Heartland. General Peabody is in command of the forces that oppose this militia. His message is as follows.” The lieutenant cleared his throat, reciting from memory, “The United States Army offers a cease fire and exchange of prisoners and wounded. The terms are straightforward – neither side will maneuver or take any other actions to better their position strategically or tactically during the ceasefire. Both sides will agree to provide at least a one hour notice of any intent to break the agreement. Furthermore, the general suggests a hotline radio frequency be established so as to avoid any misunderstandings.”

  Colonel Marcus had been expecting this visit and had already received approval from his superiors to accept reasonable terms. The point that advocated giving the other side one hour’s notice was bullshit. Neither party would honor that…. However, the radio communication was a good idea.

  The commander of the Independents nodded his head, “You may return to your lines, Lieutenant, with the following answer – ‘Agreed as proposed.’ My aide will provide you with a radio frequency on your way out. Will there be anything else?”

  The young officer thought for a moment and then replied, “No, sir. Thank you, sir.”

  “Dismissed.”