Embers of Empire

by Mark Goodwin

  Ulysses turned to Foley. “You look like you have something to say.”

  He raised his shoulders. “She has a point. It’s a long trip, most of it through enemy territory. Making the run once is better than three times.”

  Ulysses grunted. “I need to mull this over. Why don’t you two scratch up some breakfast? I may not think better on a full stomach, but at least I won’t be so irritable. And make sure Charity eats. I’m going to take Buck with me for a walk along the lake. Come on, boy.”

  Ava watched Buckley quickly abandon her for Ulysses. “So much for my faithful companion. I thought Buck was different.”

  Breakfast consisted of eggs, oatmeal, and bread. Ulysses said nothing during the meager meal. Figuring that he was still contemplating what to do, Ava didn’t prod him. Despite Ava’s pleas, Charity did not get up to eat with the others. She remained in bed but did agree to drink some water and eat a bowl of oatmeal.

  After breakfast, Ava and Foley walked hand-in-hand by the lake.

  “Something is on your mind.” Ava wrapped her free arm around Foley’s.

  “Wow. You’re pretty observant. As boring as it’s been around here, you’d almost have to be psychic to pick up on that one.” A subdued grin broke out across his face.

  “Shut up.” She slapped his arm playfully. “I know you, Foley. You take all of this fighting and blowing stuff up like water off a duck’s back. It’s something else. Talk to me. You can’t expect me to share my deepest darkest fears if you won’t.”

  His face became more somber. “Now’s not the right time to talk about it, but after yesterday, I’m afraid of it going unsaid.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He bent over to pick up a stone. He spun the smooth rock between his fingers. “Coming home to Sam, Betty, and James being dead; it made me realize how temporary life is; at least life on this planet.”

  “Go on.” She waited for him to finish his thought.

  “If something happens—to me . . . or you; I want you to know how I feel.” Foley sent the stone skipping across the lake.

  She hugged him. “I know, you love me. And I love you.”

  He pulled back from her embrace. “It’s more than that. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Whether it’s two days or eighty years, win or lose, live or die, whatever time I have left on earth, I want to spend it with you.”

  Her heart fluttered, causing her to gasp. She watched his hand go into his jacket pocket and come back out. Her pulse quickened. She felt faint.

  Foley produced a ring made of wire that had been woven together in a beautiful pattern. “You deserve so much more than this homemade ring. If you say yes, and I’m around long enough, I’ll get you the most beautiful diamond you’ve ever seen. Will you marry me?”

  Ava covered her mouth and nodded. Her eyes welled up with tears. Ava knew all about engagement rings. The one Lee had given her adoptive mother held an absolutely stunning 1.5 carat diamond, but in the end, the commitment behind it didn’t mean squat. In her mind, it was the promise represented by the ring which merited true value . . . or lack thereof.

  She held out her hand, letting Foley slip the emblem of his affection on her finger. Only time would tell, but Ava actually believed that Foley would keep his pledge to her. She trusted him to hold to his vow, forsaking all others and ‘til death do us part.

  Later that evening, Ava sat at the picnic table with her father.

  “Did he pop the question yet?” Ulysses inquired.

  “What?”

  “You’ve been very evasive with your left hand. I’m guessing you’re trying to avoid the subject.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Do you think that boy would ask you to marry him without coming to me first?”

  Ava really hadn’t considered that aspect. She’d lived so many years without a real father that the idea of one being involved in this very monumental occasion had totally slipped her mind. “So, you approve?”

  Ulysses ran his fingers through Buckley’s fur on his head. “You’re cut from the same cloth. You’ll be good for each other—if we make it through all of this.”

  She considered his words. “Did you decide what we’re going to do about Chip?”

  “We’ll pick him up tomorrow night.” Ulysses answer was direct and quick.

  Ava needed more details. “So, I’m on the team?”

  Ulysses sucked his teeth, making a ticking sound, as if he was entirely uneasy about bringing Ava along. “You’re on the team.”

  She kept her excitement contained. “We’ll leave from here?”

  “We will, but we won’t come back here. I need you to speak with Charity. I’m going to hook the trailer up to the Sierra. We’ll load up the chickens and all the supplies we can. We’ll send her north; up past Wichita Falls. Little town called Byers; they’re mostly patriots. A fellow on one of our dark web message boards said I could leave the trailer at his grain mill.

  “From there, we’ll find a shallow crossing where we can drive the pickups across the Red River into Oklahoma.”

  “Couldn’t we try to communicate with one of the militias in Oklahoma on a message board and tell them we’re coming in? Maybe we could cross over on one of the bridges.”

  Ulysses shook his head. “It would be a firefight, even if the Oklahoma side knew we were coming and had double the number of troops on the bridge. Somebody would get killed, and that somebody might be you.”

  “Somebody might get killed picking up Chip.”

  “Don’t remind me.” Ulysses pursed his lips. “Anyway, it’s a calculated risk. Chip has information. He’s a high-value target. Left here to his own devices, I’m afraid he’ll continue to be a source of worry for us. Getting rid of him is worth the risk.

  “The only possible advantage to crossing into Oklahoma by way of a bridge is that we get to bring the trailer and the supplies. I’ve got plenty of room at the farmhouse, and plenty of supplies. If need be, I can buy another trailer.

  “Leaving the trailer in northern Texas could have merit as well. If Foley ever comes back down this way and gets stuck, he’d at least have a place to put his head and something to eat.”

  Ava did not want to remember that Foley wasn’t done fighting. “I understand. It makes sense. You think that section of the river near Byers will be shallow enough to cross with the trucks?”

  “I hope so. If not, we’ll walk across and hitch a ride home with the militia.”

  “What if they don’t recognize us?”

  Ulysses smiled. “If they get a good look past that short black hair, they’ll recognize you from the news. Besides, I’ve been in contact with the Oklahoma militia. They’re expecting us to cross over with a big prize for the Alliance States.”

  “You didn’t tell me that.”

  “Last time I discussed my online relationships with you, it ended in a shootout. Forgive me if I’m not as forthcoming these days.”

  Ava furrowed her brow but said nothing. It was a sharp jab, but she knew she deserved it. “I’ll go check on Charity. I’ll see if she thinks she can do it.”

  “I understand that she’s hurting, but I really need her to do this for us.” Ulysses nodded. “I also understand that it’s a long drive, but Buckley will be with her.”

  Ava took a deep breath and entered the trailer. She had to make Charity understand the importance of her role.

  CHAPTER 26

  Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.”

  Deuteronomy 31:7-8

  Ava woke up late Friday. Partly because it took her a while to go to sleep the night before, and partly because her
father had advised her to get as much sleep as possible. He’d warned her that the mission to capture Chip would be a pre-dawn raid, and it would likely be at least 36 hours before she’d have another opportunity to rest.

  She began her day with a long hot shower, knowing it could be a couple days before she had another one of those. She returned to the small bedroom of the trailer and got dressed. Charity turned over in the bed. She looked at Ava but said nothing.

  “How are you feeling? Did you sleep okay?” Ava sat on the narrow bench to put her boots on.

  Charity pulled the comforter up to her chin. “I slept. But not great. I keep dreaming of James. And I don’t think I’ll ever get that image of him being gunned down out of my mind.”

  “Do you think you’re going to be able to drive the Sierra and the trailer up to the border tonight?”

  “I’ll do it. I know you need me to.”

  Ava wished she didn’t have to push Charity to take on this task, but there really was no other way. “Thank you. We should be there around 10:00 tomorrow morning, or soon after.”

  “Why so long? Byers is only five hours away, even if you don’t take the interstate.”

  “We’re going to pick him up at around 4:30 in the morning. I’m fairly confident he goes drinking every Friday night so that increases the odds of him being home at that hour. It also means he won’t be in much of a position to put up a fight. It’s also doubtful that we’ll run into very many other people on the way in, or the way out. It’s a luxury residential high-rise with mostly young people in the building. Going in the backway bypasses all the security that Chip is likely to have in the lobby. Then, we’ll only have to deal with guards at his door.”

  “It makes sense.” Charity sat up in bed. “How are you going to get in?”

  “I’ll lurk by the exit gate of the parking garage. I’ll catch a car leaving, duck inside, then wait for someone to let me in the building while they’re going out.”

  “Sounds risky.”

  “Not really. I’m a single girl by myself. No one will think anything of it. I’ll block the door locks with duct tape and work my way down to the side entrance where I’ll let Foley and Dad in. Once we’re inside, it’ll be easy.”

  “Be safe. I’m going to be worried until you get to Byers.”

  “Don’t worry for me; pray for me.”

  “I will.”

  “Come on. Let’s get something to eat. You’ve got an important job today and a long drive. You need a good breakfast. Plus, I’m counting on you to take care of Buckley.”

  Charity forced a smile and slowly came out from beneath the covers. “Okay.”

  That evening, Charity and Buckley left at sunset. Ava, Foley, and Ulysses still had several more hours of waiting at the Buchannan Lake Campground. They reviewed the plan, discussed contingencies, and alternate escape routes. Finally, at 1:00 in the morning, Ulysses did a final gear check on his team. They double checked their radios, which would only be used if the earbuds and mics failed to work on their burner phones. All three of them dressed in civilian clothing. They would blend in perfectly with people coming in from the bars after a hard Friday night of drinking.

  For the initial entry, Ava would be armed only with her small Glock 43 tucked in the front of her jeans and covered by her black leather jacket. She’d carry her .45 in her oversized purse, which would also be used to carry out Chip’s electronic devices for further inspection.

  Foley would have a concealed pistol, and he would bring in the rifles with a large rolling suitcase. Ulysses would trail behind, ready to neutralize anyone who got in the way. Once they arrived on Chip’s floor, they’d take out the rifles and be ready for the extraction.

  The entry would be very clandestine. The exit, however, would be messy. They’d be carrying at least one hostage, bound and gagged, and they’d be running out of the building with guns blazing. It would be a race against time to get Chip to Foley’s truck and get out of Austin before they got caught.

  At 3:30 Saturday morning, Ava stood against the back of Chip’s high-rise condo building. Her hand was in her purse clutching the grip of her 1911. On one side of her was the door to the stairwell exit. On the other was the gate for the garage exit. She needed someone to leave the building via one of those portals before 4:30 AM, and before security spotted her hanging out by the back doors. She stayed tight with her back to the wall inside a shallow alcove, which hid her from the surveillance camera above her head.

  She guessed the temperature to be around 40 degrees, but the occasional wind, which whipped down the alley, sent shivers all through her body.

  Time crept by at a glacial pace. She glanced at the time on her burner phone. 4:00 AM. Seems like I’ve been here for an hour.

  If no one came out by 4:30, Ulysses and Foley would have to use a breaching tool and a sledgehammer to get the metal door open. Even though the door opened to a stairwell, the noise would bring unwanted attention and could jeopardize the mission.

  She shuddered from the cold. Suddenly, the door to the stairwell clicked open. An inebriated single guy came out. His delayed reaction first painted his hazy eyes with surprise. As his sluggish brain processed the fact that Ava was a girl, and then a cute girl, a lazy smile grew across his face.

  She smiled back. “I lost my key card at the club.”

  “Hafagreatnight,” he slurred.

  “Thanks.” She pulled the door closed behind her to deter any further interaction with the drunkard.

  “I’m in,” Ava said over the mic tucked under her jacket. “Let me know when the lush is gone. I’ll slap some duct tape over the door lock.”

  “All clear.” Foley waited in his truck, which was parked street side in view of the alley where Ava entered.

  She quickly pushed the door open, tore off a length of tape and placed it over the opening in the door frame of the lock. She hustled up the stairs to the second floor. “The interior door to the stairwell has a push bar on the other side. It almost looks like you could jimmy it open with a knife.”

  Ulysses waited in his truck, which was parked directly behind Foley’s. “Can you do it?”

  “I don’t know. I’m on the second floor. Chip’s apartment is on the eighth.”

  Her father replied, “Head on up there and give it a try. I’m sure I can get it, but a girl jiggling a lock looks like someone who lost her keys. A guy, especially an older man with a scar and a lazy eye, looks like a criminal.”

  Ava climbed the stairs to the eighth-floor landing. She pulled out her pocket knife and tried. “I don’t think I’m going to be able to do it.”

  “That’s okay. Sit tight for a few more minutes. Foley and I will come on in at 4:25.”

  Ava looked at her phone. “That’s fifteen minutes from now. What do I do if someone walks by?”

  “You’re on the eighth floor. Not many people are going to be trying to get in their cardio by taking the stairs at 4:00 AM on a Saturday morning. Most will take the elevator. But, if someone happens by, give them the same story. You lost your key card. Try to get them to let you in.”

  “Roger.” She waited nervously for the time to pass. She peeked through the rectangular window in the door. Looking down the hall, she spotted two guards sitting in chairs on either side of Chip’s door. One was reading a book. The other’s thumbs worked frantically at his phone. He was either playing a game or sending a long text. Ava guessed a game was more likely.

  She turned back away from the door and relayed the information to Foley and her father.

  “Good to know,” Ulysses said. “What do they look like? Ex-military?”

  “Not at all. They look like Antifa rejects. Undisciplined. Sloppy clothes. Lackadaisical.”

  “Perfect,” he said. “Ten more minutes and we’ll be coming to you.”

  Ava wanted to keep her eye on the guards, but she did not want to risk being spotted. Seconds ticked away like minutes, and minutes like hours.

/>   Finally, Ulysses' voice came over her earbud, “We’re on our way. What’s going on with the guards?”

  Ava took a brief gander through the window. “One of the guards is showing the other one something on his phone.”

  Minutes later, Ava saw the top of Foley’s head coming up the stairs. Next, she saw Ulysses with his short-barreled rifle and silencer ready to fire.

  Foley arrived on the eighth-floor landing and unzipped the suitcase. The two AR-15s’ uppers and lowers were separated when he removed them from the luggage, but with the click of two small attachment pins on each, he had them reassembled. He handed a rifle to Ava along with a belt, which held four additional magazines. Foley put on a load-bearing vest containing spare magazines for himself and shouldered his rifle.

  Ulysses arrived and bent down by the lock. He pulled out his knife and wedged it in the narrow gap between the door and the frame. Click. “Got it. Foley, bend down and hold this knife in place until I can neutralize the guards.”

  Ava held Foley’s rifle and watched him kneel down to hold the knife. Her heart pounded, knowing the action was about to begin.

  Ulysses handed off the knife, drew the butt of his rifle tight against his shoulder and rose slowly. Ava looked through the small window pane from behind her father. The chamber of Ulysses’ suppressed rifle snapped open, spitting out a spent shell, making only the sound of the bolt cycling. A loud snap from the bullet passing through the thick glass window caused the second guard to look in Ava’s direction. The first guard was already dead. Crack! Glass shards spraying from a second hole in the window of the door was the last thing the second guard would ever see.

  “Go,” Ulysses instructed.

  Foley jerked the door open, folded Uylsses’ knife, and handed it back to him. Foley held the door with his foot and took his rifle from Ava’s hand as she walked through the doorway. Ulysses led the team down the hall with his rifle up and prepared to fire. Ava trailed behind her father, also with her AR-15 shouldered. Foley took the rear position at the end of the line.