by Ryan King
"You can't do that," Harold said alarmed.
"I won't," she said, "but not because I don't have the courage and strength to do it. I'll keep myself safe because of Nathan and my children. Once you have children, you lose the right to be impulsive. I thought those days were over with Joshua and David grown, but..." She pointed at her lightly rounded belly.
Harold wasn't exactly sure what to say in response.
"I want Nathan back here, Harold."
He opened his mouth to speak and then shut it.
"Not just for a visit like a reverse conjugal, but for good."
"Beth," stammered Harold, "I'm not sure what you want me to do."
She smiled sweetly at him. "Just think about it. Ask yourself what it would take for Nathan to come back here. To be free and be able to live with his family here. You're a smart man."
"But..." began Harold. "What you're asking is...it's...a risk..."
"My husband never liked me to do things he thought were dangerous," said Bethany. "It wasn't because I couldn't or wouldn't. He explained it was his fear that something would happen to me. Out of respect for him, I stayed out of his business and didn't do anything that might cause him to worry."
"Yes," Harold said, "I see."
"I don't think you do," she answered, moving close to him. "I will do whatever it takes to bring my family back together. I'd like to be smart about it, but I'll not just sit and hope for the best."
"What do you expect me to do?"
"Nathan respected and trusted you," Bethany said. "There were very few I could say that of. You and he were alike, never able to ignore wrongs. Not the type to walk by a problem and pretend it doesn't exist. Don't go changing on me now, Harold. This problem is staring you square in the face."
"I'd like you to leave now," said Harold.
Bethany nodded and walked to the door. She opened it and stepped out, but then stepped back in and looked at him. "I'm very sorry for your loss," she said and then closed the door softly behind her.
Chapter 3 - Uncle Martin's Farm
Nathan wasn't sure where to go from here. He had spent the week after the MA raid walking over the campgrounds and asking questions, but Joshua seemed to have just vanished into a puff of smoke. He had pored over maps, examining potential routes they might have traveled from the latrines where he was seen last to the east.
"Might have gone off and found himself a girl," said Jack from his easy chair where he was tying fishing lures.
Nathan sighed. "He would not have run off over a girl. Joshua has just escaped and was possibly in bad shape. Besides, he was with two other men."
"Maybe they all found girls," offered Jack.
"You see many opportunities to meet new girls around here?"
Jack grunted. "Just trying to be helpful."
Ignoring the old man, Nathan pulled his string out again. Conrad said by sunrise the morning after their capture, if they had still been on the run, the MA would have captured them. That meant before morning Joshua found some place to hide. The fact that they never made it to the JP implied that Joshua and the other two men were still hiding there or were in trouble.
He stretched the string with a pencil attached to the other end around in a circle. The string represented fifteen miles, his most optimistic estimate of what a wounded man could make over rough ground at night.
Jack walked by and looked down at the map. "You know that circle don't mean dick if they found a vehicle"—he pointed at a river—"or a boat for that matter."
Nathan tried not to let his impatience show. "In that case, why haven't they shown up?"
"Could have found something that delayed them," Jack said. "Might be any number of things. They may be nursing your son back to health. Could have been captured by someone else. The MA ain't the only crazoids out there, or maybe he found a girl."
"He did not find a girl!" said Nathan.
"Is your boy one of them homosexuals?"
"He is not a homosexual! The boy even has a girlfriend, according to my wife."
"Well, then I don't understand why you're so sure he didn't stop for a girl," Jack said. "That's all."
Nathan rubbed at his forehead where he felt a headache coming on. Just to shut Jack up, he said, "If he found a girl. If she was the lady of his dreams, that he wanted to marry and have his children. If...all of that. Wouldn't he bring her to the JP?"
"Maybe," said Jack, "but there's other nice places besides the JP. I know you're partial to Kentucky and all, but once you really lay eyes on Missouri, let me tell you, boy, it's hard to walk away from."
"So your theory," said Nathan, "is that my son found the girl of his dreams and fell in love. At the same time, he gazes about at the splendor that is your home state and simultaneously falls in love with it also. Then, instead of returning to his home or at least letting someone know he was okay, he decided to settled down and live here for the rest of his life. And oh, by the way, he convinced his two compatriots to do the same. Is that what you're saying?"
"Not exactly like that," said Jack defensively, "but I think you get the picture."
Jack pointed at a spot on the map where several lines crossed. "Looks like a passel of those lines run through Uncle Martin's old farm.
"Uncle Martin?" asked Nathan.
"Yeah," said Jack. "He died about ten years ago. His kids had all moved off and didn't want to live in Missouri anymore. Fools, each and every one of them. They sold the place."
"Sold to whom?" asked Nathan, only listening with half an ear.
"Some big company headquartered in Boston," said Jack. "My cousin Ronnie said they each got a good pile of cash from that Genesis Corporation."
Nathan was checking the scale of the map for possibly the hundredth time to make sure his measurements were correct. "Genesis Corporation, huh? What, they take over the farm and build condos or something?"
"Yes!" said Jack, "how did you know?"
Nathan stopped and looked at Jack. "What? Condos? I was joking."
"No," said Jack. "It's the craziest damn thing you ever heard of. These underground condos they sell to people so they can come and survive the end of the world or some such horseshit. Said they dug up this giant hole and put in pre-fabricated sections that came in on semi trucks at night. Ronnie said the man told him it would house nearly four hundred people. Can you believe that?"
Nathan stood very slowly and faced Jack. "Are you telling me that there is a giant end of the world bomb shelter less than ten miles from here that just happens to correspond with most of my son's possible routes, and you didn't think to tell me about it?"
Jack rubbed his jaw with his hand. "You think he might be in there?"
"Uh, yeah," said Nathan, packing up his gear.
"Could be," admitted Jack. "I better go with you to show you how to get there. It's kind of isolated."
"Fine," said Nathan. “Just hurry up.”
Jack snapped his fingers and pointed at Nathan suddenly. "I got it! I bet he found a girl in that Genesis thingamabob!"
Nathan didn't shoot Jack, but the thought did cross his mind.
Chapter 4 - Recall Petition
The JP Executive Council was unusually still. Much of this was attributed to the distinguished gentleman sitting alone near the front. Most had not seen nor even heard a word about General Clarence Anderson since he had quietly faded from public life. Some brave individuals or those closest to Clarence—such as General Butch Matthews—greeted the man, but most kept their distance. They also recognized that it was becoming prudent to see if persons were in or out of favor with the administration before publically associating with them.
The side door opened, and President Paul Campbell and Vice President Ethan Schweitzer entered. Everyone stood, and the two took a few minutes to greet and talk to several people. After they finally took their seats, Brad Williams the executive from McCraken County and the council member whose turn it was to serve as council speaker, called the meeting to order.
"All right no
w, let's all sit down," he said. "Come on now, have a seat and let's get started." When all the council members were seated, Brad turned to the front of the room where the president and vice president sat.
"Thank you all for being here," said President Campbell. "Am I to understand this is a special calling of the council for special business?"
"That is correct, sir. Retired General Clarence Anderson, former Chief of Jackson Purchase Defense, has requested an audience today, and you graciously approved."
"Oh yes," said Paul Campbell, and everyone in the room could tell he feigning forgetfulness. "Please go on."
Brad smiled and proffered a hand in Clarence's direction.
Smiling slightly, the old general stood. "Good afternoon Mr. President, Vice President, council members, and thank you for allowing me to come speak to you today. My purpose here is as a representative of the people—"
"Do you hold public office?" asked Ethan suddenly.
"Excuse me?" asked Clarence.
Ethan looked around. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but you said you are here to represent the people. I'm new here, but was led to believe you had retired. All the representatives of the people are in this room or members of the Senate."
Clarence gave Ethan a withering smile. "Let us say informal representative then."
"Okay, I see," said Ethan. "Please continue."
"Thank you," said Clarence. "I am here to present to this body a petition signed by an estimated one-half of the registered voting members of the Jackson Purchase. This petition calls for a recall election of President Paul Campbell."
Although everyone in the room already knew about the petition, there was a stir nevertheless.
"On what grounds?" asked the president.
"No confidence, sir," said Clarence.
"No confidence?" asked Ethan. "What does that even mean? Can you explain it further?"
"It is not necessary to explain why for the voters to call for a recall," said Clarence, "but I will indulge you. This administration has recently been responsible for a number of actions that the people feel overstep its authority. Actions such as unlawful seizures, arrests, convictions, and punishments without trial, to name a few."
President Campbell seemed genuinely shaken. "But how can they think that? I have always had their best interests at heart."
"They do not think that," said Ethan firmly. "This is likely a smear campaign designed and executed by a few men to fool many more unsuspecting citizens to putting their names to a piece of paper. General Anderson, how many signatures do you have on your petition there?"
Clarence looked at a piece of paper on top of the giant binder on the desk. "Fifty-two thousand, three hundred and twelve."
"Good Lord," said someone from the rear.
"That is very impressive," admitted Ethan. "It must have taken lots of time and energy to gather those signatures and convince people to go along with this."
"It wasn't that hard," said Clarence.
"And what is the population of the Jackson Purchase?" asked Ethan.
Clarence was ready, "A little over one hundred ninety-five thousand people at the last census. Of those one hundred two thousand, four hundred eighty were registered voters."
"At the last census and last election," said Ethan.
"Yes," answered Clarence.
"But, sir," said Ethan leaning forward, "I know you have been away, but a lot has changed since the last election and an awful lot has changed since the last census. Can those numbers be relied upon?"
"Even with an estimated population fluctuation due to population loss or increase," said Clarence, "the number of names on the petition should be sufficient for a recall election. The percentage is not based on population, but on registered voters, and we have reliable data from the most recent election wherein President Campbell defeated President Philips."
"Ah, yes," said Ethan, "but what about the registered voters in the West Tennessee Republic?"
Clarence looked confused. "Sir, I don't understand."
"Well," said Ethan, "it is quite simple. You say you have a certain percentage of names of registered voters, which evidently is enough to call for this recall election, but I do not know, yet you have totally disregarded a sizable portion of your population."
"The WTR was not part of the original election," said Clarence. "They should therefore have no part in this."
"But I disagree," said Ethan. "President Campbell is the legitimate president for every citizen in the Jackson Purchase and the West Tennessee Republic." He turned to the audience. "And we really should get around to a name for that, but I digress." He returned his gaze to Clarence. "So, all those citizens should have a say in whether he is recalled or not. Maybe that part of the population has not lost confidence. Maybe they are totally satisfied."
"Be that as it may," said James Harping, the executive from Ballard County, "I think he might have a point. Any petition to recall a past election result should be based on those voters from that election in question."
"Again, I disagree," said Ethan. "Although this group is now the representative body of all our peoples, those in Tennessee are not represented. There are elected representatives from each county in the Jackson Purchase, but none from Tennessee. Doesn't that strike you as undemocratic?"
The room was silent for a few seconds.
"You have a legitimate point, Mr. Vice President," said Butch Matthews, "but I recommend we table that discussion for another day."
"We certainly can," said Ethan, "but my point is that this body cannot, nor should they in good conscience, continue to deceive themselves that they are representing the people while ignoring over half the population it represents. There is also the matter of the people's trust and faith in the government. The good citizens of Tennessee are a trusting sort. They believe in time that we will enfranchise them, but we cannot wait too long before we do so. I also believe the seat of this government should be moved."
"Moved?" said Paul Campbell in surprise.
Ethan looked at Paul with an annoyed look that he quickly cloaked in patience. "Yes, Mr. President. Remember we spoke of this and you said you were in favor?"
"Oh, yes," said Paul. "Now I remember."
Turning back to the room, Ethan said, "Paducah is certainly a useful location for the center of Jackson Purchase government, but we do not feel it is fitting for a nation inclusive of all our peoples."
"You want us to move to Tennessee?" asked James Harping.
"Oh, heavens no," said Ethan. "That would then not be suitable for the Kentucky population. We currently have a city that spans the old border. A city that is centrally located and would readily serve the purpose of a new capital."
"You mean Fulton," said Brad Williams.
Ethan nodded. "Exactly."
"Again, sir," said Butch, "another excellent topic for another day. Maybe we should focus on the subject of the petition presented by General Anderson."
"You are so right," said Ethan. "That is why you are the best man to run our military. Extremely efficient. You will like working with the Tennessee generals I can tell."
"Sir," said Clarence, "I believe I understand your point of numbers and populations and percentages regarding what is Jackson Purchase the inclusion or non-inclusion of the Tennessee voters, but I believe that should have no bearing on whether to have a recall or not."
"We will just have to disagree on this matter," said Ethan. "I propose that if you strongly disagree, then that is an excellent question for the courts."
"Courts?" said Brad. "We don't have any courts, and we don't yet have much in the way of laws for the courts to rule on or interpret."
Ethan put his hand over his mouth. "Oh my, we do have our work cut out for us."
"Is this body denying the petition request?" asked Clarence.
Ethan looked at President Campbell pointedly.
Paul looked back and then seemed to suddenly awaken. "Yes, it is. Petition denied."
"Shouldn't th
e council vote on that?" asked someone in the rear.
"If it were a valid petition," explained Ethan, "then yes, it should be voted on. But I believe we have just proved that it is not. Therefore, it is not even legitimate."
Clarence stood with a frown. "Gentlemen, you have refused to hear the people. You do so at your peril and that of our government. There are other ways for the citizens to be heard, not all of them as formal as this."
"I do believe that is a threat," said Ethan.
"It is not," said Clarence. "Merely a reminder in hopes that you will change your minds."
Ethan motioned to a man in the back, and a Tennessee state trooper moved forward and handed him a sealed envelope. The council stared at the trooper, the site of Tennessee policemen in Kentucky becoming more frequent, but it still seemed odd to most.
"While we are on the optic of petitions," said Ethan, "and seeing how you are such a great champion of the people's will, perhaps you will be interested in this petition from the citizens of Tennessee."
Clarence smiled. "They want to recall your election."
"No," answered Ethan sternly. "This petition is one that is about justice in a civilized society. It about doing what is right."
Everyone in the room looked at Ethan curiously, including President Campbell.
"This"—Ethan shook the paper—"is a petition to bring to justice the Butcher of Fulton. The man who oversaw the wholesale slaughter of surrendering, wounded, or captured soldiers. The man is guilty of the most grievous of war crimes against humanity and has never yet been called to account for his actions. That man sits before us today."
"You can't be serious," said Butch.
"I am very serious, General," said Ethan. "Based on this petition of the people of this nation, a court in Jackson has issued a warrant for the arrest of Retired General Clarence Anderson, also known as the Butcher of Fulton, for war crimes against humanity."
As if on cue, two large Tennessee State Troopers moved forward and grabbed Clarence's arms. They pulled his hands behind his back, handcuffing them.
"Now wait just a minute," said James Harping.