Patriot's Farewell

by Bobby Akart

  The premier continued. “Even if we wished to crush Taiwan using a single nuclear strike, it would require years and vast amounts of our money to reconstruct the island. There would be no profit in such an attack, and the global political fallout would be far more dangerous than the nuclear fallout from the blast. Our long-range approach has worked, enabling you to undertake this final mission. By growing so successful that Taiwan comes to us with trade proposals, and by carefully inserting our dissidents into their universities and cultural programs, we now have the basis of an uprising.”

  “An uprising that will appear to be organic and natural as if it were, as they say, a grassroots effort. In reality, it has been part of a carefully orchestrated coup in the making for years.”

  “A coup that only needs a catalyst to set off a firestorm.”

  “Very true, Premier, which is why we are here. The collapse of the power grid brought a sea of change to the United States. It will bring the same to Taiwan. Operation Unify begins now.”

  Chapter 21

  5:00 p.m.

  The Jackson Family Home

  Muddy Pond, Tennessee

  “Judge, would you be a dear and call everyone in for supper,” said Janie Jackson from the kitchen. Drew’s father, Wilfred Jackson, who’d been called Judge for more than half his life, put another log on the fire, which caused the split oak to crackle and pop. He tapped the wrought-iron poker against the dog irons and set it to the side. The Jackson home was full of warmth and comradery as the family hosted Drew’s associates from Aegis and their significant others.

  While the guys were outside playing a touch football game against Jack and some of his friends on the Cumberland Plateau, Judge flipped through the various local news networks. If he didn’t know better, he would’ve thought he’d been teleported back in time to 1860. The local news reported on the attitudes of Southerners toward the Patriot statehood bill. The consensus was indisputable—Southern nationalists were prepared to secede if the bill passed in its current form.

  He shook his head in disbelief and walked through the large wooden door onto the porch. The cold, damp air entered his body in an instant. He was getting older, and even the relatively mild Tennessee winters were taking a toll. He’d never let his missus know this, but he sometimes found himself surfing the web in search of Florida winter retreats.

  He grabbed the iron rod off a nail acting as a hook on the porch post and rang the dinner bell—a steel rod formed into a triangle, which hung from the eave. “C’mon, y’all. Supper’s ready, and Miss Janie won’t tolerate an empty table with cold food!”

  “You don’t have to tell us twice, Judge!” shouted King. “They’re kickin’ our tails anyway.”

  The large group high-fived each other and paired up with their loved ones as they approached the house en masse. This was the largest gathering Janie had entertained in the home, but she’d risen to the challenge. It helped that everyone enjoyed hearty Southern cooking. Tonight, they’d be treated to cornbread with white bean and ham hock soup, one of Janie’s specialties. Her recipe varied slightly from most because she smoked the ham hocks first before adding them to the rest of the ingredients. It provided a hearty, meaty taste.

  As the group filed in and praised Janie for the wonderful smells that filled the house, the news reports out of Knoxville continued. Before Drew could turn down the volume in preparation for dinner being served, the reporter continued.

  “The concept of secession is not an easy argument to win, but it’s clear that it’s gaining momentum across the South all the way to Texas. For decades, groups have held rallies to achieve what Southerners failed to do in the 1860s. In the past, the groups advocating secession were loosely related to white supremacist groups; they were never taken seriously.

  “However, this is much different. The successful abandonment of the Union by the four states seeking reunification showed hard-core Southerners that the South could in fact rise again. Secession speeches are occurring in state houses in every state. Let’s take a look at one orator from Jackson, Mississippi.”

  The reporter stopped his report and allowed the local news network to play a video of a black republican legislator in the Mississippi state house. “Naturally, as a black man, I have no interest in going back and re-creating an un-re-creatable past full of antebellum homes and slavery. Do not allow the national media to mischaracterize our intentions. This is a movement about states’ rights and the right to govern ourselves without the federal government imposing its definition of values and morals upon us. If this Pacific statehood bill passes, states like California, who have a wholly different approach to governing, will impose their views upon the rest of the nation. I, for one, reject this bill, and if it passes, I will introduce a bill into the Mississippi legislature advocating secession.”

  Drew muted the volume and took his seat next to Abbie. His father said the blessing and everyone dug into the beans and cornbread. Some people took up seats on the sofa and comfortable recliners. Others sat at card tables brought into the large open space during mealtimes. The only thing absent after hearing the news report was the usual lighthearted banter between the guests. Everyone seemed to soak in the words of the Mississippi legislator.

  Drew’s sister, Alexandra, nonchalantly spoke first. “Do y’all think we’re headed for a second civil war?”

  Judge answered with a question of his own. “Allie, are you being serious?”

  “I am, Dad. This whole thing is spinning out of control. That’s all they talk about at the state house.” Allie was a lobbyist for HCA Healthcare, which was based in Nashville.

  Abbie finished her bite of cornbread and politely wiped the crumbs and melted butter off her mouth. “Maybe I should answer that one. Allie, here’s the thing. The world is much more complicated than it was in the mid-nineteenth century when the storm clouds were brewing over the country. Our nation is interlocked economically and militarily. We had to deal with the military aspect early on after taking office. Some of our most important military bases are located in Hawaii and California. We couldn’t stand for them to be commandeered by a foreign government, which in essence is what the four Pacific states have become.”

  “Yeah, I was stationed at the Presidio in Monterey when things went south,” said one of the Aegis team members. “There was a lot of confusion when the president led the secession movement in the middle of the chaos. I have to tell you, most of us didn’t stand to object because we were getting fed and had a roof over our heads. It wasn’t until after it happened that the ramifications set in.”

  “He’s right,” said Abbie. “Sarge and I worked day and night to establish the legal basis for claiming ownership and control of the military bases, which included the land, the equipment, and the personnel. We treated our installations in those four states just as if they were located in Germany, Japan, or Iraq. With only a few exceptions, the base commanders agreed.”

  “That’s right,” interjected King. “When the president was impeached at the Constitutional Convention, paving the way for a presidential election to be held, our guys saw the handwriting on the wall. They upheld their oath to the United States Constitution.”

  “Which brought about the beginning of the reunification movement,” said Abbie. She turned to Drew’s younger sister. “Let me finish addressing Allie’s question. The lesson learned from this is if a civil war were to break out again, the side leaving the Union would not be able to count on the military installations within their state borders. And even if the military joined them, they’d be woefully outgunned by the rest of our forces.”

  “Abbie,” interrupted Janie, “if that’s true, and I suspect you’re right, what’s to stop the Southern states from seceding if this bill passes?”

  “Janie, hopefully cooler heads will prevail. We don’t think the bill is going to pass, but if it did and it led to a broader secession movement, it would be up to negotiations and a political solution. An armed conflict between Americans can n
ever happen again.”

  Chapter 22

  7:00 p.m.

  The Blue Room

  The White House Residence

  Washington, DC

  The Blue Room was in the center of the State Floor of the White House. Over the years, it had become the traditional place for presidents to receive their guests. From entertaining kings to greeting Boy Scouts, the business of the republic and the social graces associated with diplomacy often began in the Blue Room.

  Sarge whispered in Julia’s ear, “You look breathtaking tonight.”

  “You’re pretty dapper yourself, Mr. President.”

  “Whadya think about blowing out of this party and slipping upstairs? Do you think anyone would notice?”

  “Ha-ha, very funny. Are you kidding? They’d all notice!”

  Sarge and Julia continued to greet the governors and their plus-ones. They made small talk about prior get-togethers, visits to the governors’ states, and the couple’s final weeks in office. As the guests continued through the receiving line, the governor of Alaska was incredibly curious about one aspect of the Blue Room.

  Sarge and Julia were positioned in the center of the room nearest the windows overlooking the South Lawn. The governor asked, “Mr. President, is it true that one of these windows is really a working door?”

  Julia laughed and squeezed the governor’s arm. “Now, Governor Blakely, you’ve been reading too many Tom Clancy novels.”

  “But—” he began to stutter.

  Sarge laughed and rescued the confused man. “Julia, don’t tease our friend. Of course, Governor Blakely, you are correct. Let me show you one of the secret passages of the White House.”

  “Sarge, um, I mean Mr. President, you can’t do that,” Julia protested. “You’ll let the cold air in.”

  “Ahh, come on, he’s from Alaska. I think he can handle it, right, Governor?”

  “I sure can, Mr. President.”

  Sarge made his way to the center of five windows overlooking the South Lawn. At first glance, it appeared to be merely a window, and the window could be raised and lowered like any other. But the wainscot panels below the windows opened inward like a double Dutch door, allowing access to the porch after the window was raised.

  Morrell nodded to a member of the Secret Service, who quickly moved ahead of Sarge toward the jib door. He looked onto the patio and outside into the night to look for any unusual activity.

  “Mr. President, if you don’t mind, allow me, sir.” The agent began to show the governor and Sarge how the door worked when a bright flash of light appeared near the Washington Monument in the distance. The sudden occurrence startled Sarge and he immediately moved against the wall.

  “What was that?” asked Sarge.

  The flashes of light continued, allowing the Secret Service agent to respond, “It appears to be fireworks in the distance, Mr. President. Perhaps at East Potomac Park. I’ll have our team investigate it, sir.”

  Sarge adjusted his suit and chastised himself for being jumpy. There hadn’t been an attempt on his life since his re-election campaign. From the time the former president ordered the drone strike upon Prescott Peninsula, to his wedding night when Drew thwarted the assassin, he knew his life would constantly be in danger. He thought he was over the fear, but apparently it would always reside within him.

  “Anyway, Governor, sorry to have to abort the mission. But this is the door you heard about. I look forward to seeing you inside after dinner.”

  The governor of Alaska walked sheepishly away, appearing guilty at creating the awkward moment. Sarge rejoined Julia, who immediately asked him if he was okay.

  “Do you think the memories of those gunshots in New Mexico will ever get out of my head?”

  “I hope so, with time,” Julia replied. “The nation has come a long way since then. Maybe, under the right circumstances, reunification will heal those wounds.”

  “Or they might open up some old ones.”

  Chapter 23

  8:00 p.m.

  The State Dining Room

  The White House Residence

  Washington, DC

  Donald and Sarge completed making the rounds with the key governors whose support they needed to firm up. The guys thanked Julia and Susan for doing a great job of positioning their guests. Donald only had to make a slight adjustment based upon their earlier meeting with the four governors. In politics, the spouse in power typically has someone at home waiting for them at the end of the day. Their loved one has been their confidant longer than any aide or senior advisor. As a result, they get to know the challenges their political spouse faces on a daily basis. As the seating arrangement proved, Julia and Susan had been paying attention.

  Despite the weighty subject of the Pacific statehood bill filling the room, the evening was fairly lighthearted. A few jokes were told, and any political rancor seemed to have been set aside.

  After dinner, when the mood was at its lightest, Sarge took to the podium to make his pitch. His carefully prepared remarks were designed to speak of unity and reconciliation so he didn’t offend the four states seeking reunification. However, he needed to remind everyone that an entire nation couldn’t be held hostage by the demands of a few. He planned on doing this by reminding the governors from whence they came prior to the collapse.

  “Before the devastating cyber attack on our nation, which resulted in many deaths, societal and economic collapse, we lived in an America where our citizens were increasingly separating themselves into cultural and ideological enclaves distinct from others.

  “Prior to the collapse, one lawmaker in Oregon’s State House proudly proclaimed at a rally that she didn’t have any Republican friends and the crowd roared with approval. States like California were making their own trade pacts with China to the detriment of other states across this great land. In Washington, governmental action took away their citizens’ First Amendment rights by imposing harsh penalties upon speakers at universities who incited protestors to riot.

  “Our nation was becoming polarized to the point where the only real debate was over the nature of our cultural, political, and religious beliefs. Depending upon where the debate took place, the conversation would be shut down if it wasn’t consistent with the politics of the government or institution in control of the conversation.

  “We saw this firsthand a decade ago. Citizens were increasingly living separate lives, in separate locations, and relied upon separate media. A conservative would only watch FoxNews or get their news from Drudge and Breitbart. A liberal would only watch MSNBC, CNN, and the major broadcast networks. Neither was interested in the other’s point of view because the conversation would invariably turn hostile.

  “We faced a tolerance crisis in America prior to the collapse. One side demanded tolerance from the other, but didn’t provide it in return. They chose to dominate rather than tolerate. Increasingly, the so-called intolerant side got fed up and began to fight back. As a result, polarization grew.

  “And let me add this. The civil-war mentality I’m hearing from many states will not save America, but rather, it will hasten its divorce. Red can’t beat blue the same way that blue beat gray nearly two hundred years ago.

  “The only way to reunite America and set it on a course that doesn’t fall into the polarization of the past is a strict adherence to our Constitution. We simply must protect the privileges and immunities of all American citizens as enumerated in the Bill of Rights. We must stand by one of the key principles that founded this country—federalism.

  “Let California be California. Let Texas be Texas. We must minimize the impact of national politics on everyday citizens’ lives. Ideas that worked in Massachusetts shouldn’t be crammed down the throats of Tennesseans. What’s good for Georgians might not suit New Yorkers.

  “Let me repeat, I wholeheartedly endorse bringing California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington back into these United States. I wish they’d never left in the first place. But their readmission cannot
include demands that the federal government adopt legislation that is inconsistent with the way the governors of Texas, Kentucky, Indiana, or Florida may wish to govern.

  “Let me close by reminding everyone of this. The Founding Fathers abhorred the prospect of one political ideology dominating the other. The entirety of our founding documents was based upon the concept of tolerance of one another.

  “So there is hope for our quest for tolerance in America. It is our Constitution, a document written to allow our citizens the ability to govern themselves while protecting individual liberties.

  “It’s built to withstand profound differences without asking our fellow Americans to surrender their strongest convictions. Now is the time for our nation to rediscover our Founders’ principles or we may ultimately take a dark and perilous path toward separation.

  “Our nation, as currently comprised of the forty-six states, should not capitulate to the demands of a few who wish to fundamentally change our principles. If we are to reunify, then let it be with a clean slate and voted upon by all of the delegates representing your states at a duly called Constitutional Convention.”

  PART TWO

  The Tuesday before Thanksgiving

  November 2024

  Chapter 24

  6:00 a.m.

  The Executive Residence

  The White House

  Washington, DC