“But we don’t have a minister here. There’s no one to make it official,” Erika countered, understanding the logic of his argument.
Dexter and Vince looked concerned.
“Official, oah-smitzal. What is official? You all will have paperwork made for you declaring your legal status because yours was lost during the Great Quake. His paperwork could be a part of that if he was her husband,” the Master Sergeant explained.
“So even if it wasn’t a real marriage, he would still become landowner-certified?” Vince wondered, starting to buy into the idea.
“Sure, like when people used to marry for US citizenship back in the day, happens all the time,” Bennet agreed.
“What if my sister doesn’t want to marry him,” Dexter argued, trying to protect his sister.
“Why not? Sean is a good guy,” Erika chimed in.
The discussion became heated as they talked over each other, arguing their points. Star and Sean were quiet as their fates were debated. Sean got up and left. The group stared at his abrupt movement.
He quickly returned. “If anyone is going to decide my future, it is going to be me,” he declared. His face had suddenly blushed very red as he searched for words. He mumbled something about finding the right time. He knelt down in front of Star. “Star Moore, I knew since the first moment I saw you that I would do anything to stay by your side. You are beautiful from the inside out. Your kind heart and loyalty to your family has astounded me and shown me a small glimpse into what a wonderful life together we could have.”
“PPPRRRTTT,” came a sound from Bennet’s direction.
All eyes were diverted to him rolling onto one cheek and ripping a huge fart that echoed through the silence of the cabin.
“Watch out for that rabbit stew,” he chuckled.
“Oh, come on!” Erika cursed the man, waving her hand in the air.
Dexter and Daniel couldn’t hold it together. They rolled on the floor laughing loudly. Vince began to gag a little. Sean stammered for a moment from the horrible smell Bennet had unleashed on his perfect moment.
As the air cleared, he declared to Star, “Would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?” He produced a ring box from his pocket. Slowly opening the box, he showed her a simple white gold band with a single diamond inset in it.
“Where did you...?” Star stammered at his gesture.
“It was my mother’s,” he replied.
“Oh, Sean, yes, I will marry you!” she replied to Sean’s delight.
“Oh no, you’re not!” Vince declared seriously.
The smiles dropped off Star’s and Sean’s faces.
“What? Why, Dad?” Star queried.
“Because he never asked your father for permission.” Vince smiled sarcastically at her.
“Oh sir, I never meant any offense,” Sean stumbled over his words.
“I’m just joking. If she’ll have you, I would gladly accept you as my son-in-law, Sean. Welcome to the family,” Vince concurred.
The engaged couple sighed with relief. Sean delicately slid the ring on her finger and then they stood up. He enraptured her in a big hug and swung her around laughing, while the group cheered for them.
“Well, I guess that takes care of that dilemma,” the Master Sergeant replied coolly, leaning back in his chair and closing his eyes.
They never had a ceremony, just a formal declaration in front of family that they were committed to life together. The next day Major Virgis arrived to collect them from the cabin. Master Sergeant Bennet informed him of the situation with Star and Sean.
“My, it really was a long winter,” Cole teased. “I’ll take care of it,” he assured the Master Sergeant.
Erika shed a tear as she closed the door to the small cabin. It had been their refuge, their security, their home, and she knew she would miss their peaceful winter in the cabin. As she boarded the snow crawler with her family she was fearful of a return to society but focused on the fact that she would get to see her in-laws and talk to her mom again. It was a bumpy, slow ride to Billings where the train they would take across the northern sector waited. Cole was busy on his radio making sure all the last-minute preparations were made for their departure.
Another soldier would accompany Master Sergeant Bennet as a guard team to ensure a safe trip home once they got to the train station. Mathew had many connections inside the government as well as with the refugee gangs to whom he had shown leniency. This was the last leg of their journey and the final opportunity to remove them from the picture before they became a serious thorn in his side.
As she sat bumping and thumping in the back of the troop transport, Erika was concerned with how the dogs were going to react to this new environment. Dexter and Erika had spent many hours over the past months training them to be quiet companions that were assets to any hunting party. They still had some puppy qualities remaining when they were on their own, but they followed commands exactly when prompted. They didn’t look like puppies anymore either. Both Trucker and Jack were intimidating-looking animals, large and black. Erika stroked Jack’s shiny coat and he looked at her anxiously, awaiting his next command. The tension was palpable in the air as they rode along in silence. Their thoughts wandered to the journey they were embarking on. The circumstances had changed significantly, and it was going to be hard to get used to being protected rather than hunted.
Erika could hear more noise outside, assuming they had entered a larger city. It was annoying to be shrouded in the back of the transport with no view of the countryside. The vehicle finally rolled to a stop. Master Sergeant Bennet hopped out the back and Erika could hear him talking with Cole over the sound of a train very close by.
Daylight flooded the vehicle as Master Sergeant Bennet pulled the flap on the back of the transport aside.
“Here are your new papers,” he announced as he handed out the IDs accordingly down the aisle.
“Hey, mine says Sean Moore,” Sean noted.
“With today’s laws, if a non-landowning man marries a landowning woman, he takes her name,” the Master Sergeant explained.
Sean scowled at the reality of the situation.
“Where’s your land, Sean?” he questioned looking around. “Nope, I don’t see any. Looks like you get her last name, deal with it.”
“Aw, it’s okay, I still love you,” Star chimed in.
“Let’s go, lovebirds,” the Master Sergeant laughed.
They jumped out of the transport and Erika noticed they were being loaded into the back of the train.
“Don’t want us mingling with the locals?” Erika said sarcastically.
“It’s safer, especially with the dogs.” He looked down at Jack wagging his tail.
Jack began to growl softly as Cole walked up with a young soldier.
“Thanks for the ride, Major Virgis,” Erika said.
“For God’s sake, just call me Cole, Erika,” Cole laughed at her. He turned his attention to her worried dog. “It’s okay, Jack.” He rubbed the animal’s head. “This here is Corporal Tye Avery and he’s going to ride with you guys.”
The dog loved the attention and nudged Cole’s hand to receive another petting.
“Nice to meet you, Corporal,” Vince said, joining the group.
They entered the train from the opposite end, as everyone else and their cabins were in the last car before the baggage car. They were beautiful cabins designed to house VIP landowners. They were loaded without incident and before long the train whistled and started to roll.
Chapter 28
Erika couldn’t believe this was happening. She looked out the window with Daniel, staring in wonder as the city rolled by. It was a surprisingly beautiful place. Roofs laden with solar panels sat atop reconstructed buildings with some very unique architectural designs. Some appeared to be set in a sling supported by four posts. Others looked like crabs with legs. Each one of the buildings looked like capsules.
“Look at those crazy houses, Sergeant
Bennet,” Erika exclaimed.
“You’re going to see a lot more of them pretty soon. That design is just starting to make it out here but it’s been pretty effective. Basically the house could survive as a capsule even if it falls, but the new designs try to suspend your home so that even if there are quakes your pod stays steady,” he explained.
“There’s still that many quakes happening?” Vince wondered.
“Fewer and farther apart now, but they still remember the Great Quake,” he replied.
Erika stared out the window in wonder as her children in the adjoining cabin did the same.
“This is so awesome, Dexter!” Star exclaimed.
“I know, we finally get to see Grandma and Grandpa,” Dexter cheered.
“How long has it been since you’ve seen them,” Corporal Avery wondered.
“Ten years,” Dex mumbled.
“Ten years? That’s back before the Great Quake,” the Corporal said, doing the math. “Haven’t you been able to get a cross-region pass before?”
“Nope,” was all Dex said, failing to elaborate.
Sean had traveled this route more recently. He was thinking back to a small apartment his aunt had rented for them in Minneapolis. During the chaos they’d fled the city and kept running west as the government patrolled for refugees.
There was a final stop in Glendive before the sector divider. Erika kept wondering what this divider was until they came to a halt at a huge wall that split the countryside as far as the eye could see.
“Holy Great God almighty, more walls,” Erika gasped. “The whole country is a gated community now, isn’t it? And who built these?” Erika pondered their purpose.
“The Walls of Freedom, that’s what the landowners have nicknamed them. They keep everyone inside safe,” Master Sergeant Bennet said sarcastically, laughing under his breath. “Who do you think built them?” he asked rhetorically.
He looked at Erika, but Vince answered, “The refugees.”
“How did you guess?” Bennet jested.
“The walls keep idle hands busy much like the water lines in Vegas. Plus, they ensure firm control and safety for the residents within the walls.”
Jack growled as the door handle turned and opened. When the young soldier entered and saw Master Sergeant Bennet he snapped to attention and declared, “Safety inspection sweep, sir.”
“These two cabins are clear,” he instructed, indicating the cabin that Star, Dex and Sean were in.
“Yes, sir,” the young man said, promptly closing the door.
Erika was so focused on the window she hadn’t taken the time to notice how on edge Bennet was. He was obviously anxious about something. She contemplated asking him about it but knew that if he thought she needed to know, he would tell her. It was such a relief to have him here, knowing she could trust him one hundred percent.
Gazing out the window, Erika watched the soldiers lining people up, checking paperwork and inspecting luggage. She was unsure what to make of this new world.
“Boy, they sure are thorough, aren’t they?” Vince commented, joining her and Daniel at the window.
“You can say that again,” she replied, turning her attention to the sight of him looking out the window. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.
“What was that for?” he asked.
“Because I love you,” she replied. “I am so nervous! I can’t wait to see your parents again. We’re finally free, Vince!” She was giddy with excitement.
“I know,” he agreed, joining in with her positive energy. “It’s been so long. For so many years I doubted that they even made it out of Washington before the Great Quake. It’s such an adventure and this time we aren’t being hunted, or shot at, or worrying about our kids dying.”
“One I am elated to have you by my side for,” Erika sighed and hugged him closely, thinking of how close she had come to losing him as well.
Before long the train rolled on again. A handful of people were taken by the soldiers. Erika watched them with their heads bowed low, knowing the life that awaited them.
“Don’t worry about that, cupcake,” Bennet said, watching her look turn sorrowful. “We are going to change all that, remember?”
Erika thought on his words as the countryside rolled by. What difference could I make in the middle of all this, she wondered.
“One step at a time,” Vince commented, watching the wheels spinning in her head.
Beautifully-cared-for farms rolled by with people dotting the landscape, toiling at one task or another. The small towns were composed of more of the odd architecture that Erika had marveled at. It looked like various forms of capsule-type buildings all suspended in one way or another. Big buildings all had bases on springs and solar panels covered the rooftops.
Bismarck, North Dakota, was the biggest city they would pass before they got to Minnesota. The city was miraculous. The buildings glimmered in their solar panels and huge wind turbines spun rapidly on their rooftops. Electric cars drove down the street, markets abounded, and people all engaged in life filled the sidewalks.
“It’s amazing,” Erika marveled out the window.
“It sure is a different place, isn’t it, hopscotch?” Bennet chuckled at her.
“Wow!” Daniel exclaimed, joining her back at the window. “It’s so shiny and, look, more cars!”
“Yup, maybe Dad can get a car again,” Vince commented, the glory of this city illuminating all of their minds with possibilities.
“Did you see this place?” Dexter said, bursting into their cabin.
“Isn’t it cool,” Star declared, hot on his heels with Sean behind her.
“What if it’s all like this?” Dexter wondered with a dreamy look in his eyes.
“Did you guys see the houses? Aren’t they weird?” Erika questioned.
“Yeah, like plastic capsules suspended in the air,” Sean chimed in.
The family chatted excitedly about the possibilities ahead of them in this new world. It was a new start. A second chance at life, where they were legal landowners with the freedom to enjoy life again. Their minds were supercharged with possibilities. Even Bennet seemed to relax a little and it made the rest of the trip fly by.
As they neared the town of Fargo where they would be exiting the train, Master Sergeant Bennet’s nervous energy returned. Erika just watched quietly, assessing what would happen next and stroking Jack who was sitting next to her. The dog could sense the energy as well and started to pant quietly with anticipation. Erika watched Vince and Daniel sleeping peacefully across from her. She imagined them safe in a bright new future.
Fargo was just as spectacular as Bismarck had been. It was a major Northern Hub in this new world. Cattle trains came and went and markets exploded with goods to barter.
“I’ve been here before, Sergeant Bennet,” Erika said quietly. “None of it looked like this.”
“Everything was destroyed, Erika. Even the lines we are traveling on all had to be stitched back together. All the cities were pretty much destroyed. Some were rebuilt and some were returned back to farmlands. Actually, you’ve got to hand it to folks: they adapted and moved on.”
“Hell yeah, they did,” she replied.
“Well, it’s been ten years, what did you expect?” he asked.
“I don’t know? I mean, out there it’s so...and in here it’s so...” she gestured grandly with her hands.
“Shitty and nice?” he replied, filling in the gaps she had left. “You’ve been in the badlands; the government doesn’t allot resources there.”
“What about Montana?” Erika was curious why the rebuild had not happened on this level out there.
“The Western Region has kind of got the shaft when it comes to resource allocation because of the lack of water and suitable farmlands. Most of their funds get funneled to the cattle ranches,” he explained. “We’re almost there. Wake them up. I’m going to go check on the others.”
Chapter 29
Erika
watched the Master Sergeant leave and woke up Vince and Daniel. They jumped out of bed, excited for the last leg of the journey. When they stopped, Bennet led them out the back of the train. Erika noticed that they were separated from the general public again. Corporal Avery brought up the rear of the group, but he seemed relaxed and conversed with Sean as they walked along.
To Erika’s surprise, Master Sergeant Bennet snapped to attention as they neared the troop transport. He saluted as a woman approached.
“At ease, Master Sergeant,” she declared in an elegant, high-class voice. She wore a black dress with heels and her hair was pulled back tightly into two intricate braids that hugged her skull. A warm winter trench coat covered it all. “These must be the landowners that experienced that horrible mix-up,” she commented.
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied formally.
“Come here and let me have a look at you,” she declared sympathetically.
Master Sergeant Bennet turned to them and said, “Let me introduce Madam Elena Porter, elected official of the Northern Region. Madam Elena Porter, this is Vince Moore and his wife Erika Moore. These are their children Star and her husband Sean, Dexter and Daniel.”
She went down the row saying hello and shaking their hands, but immediately had an aide hand her a sanitary napkin.
While she wiped her hand she declared, “After such a horrible ordeal I am sure you are eager to return home and get cleaned up. I just wanted to come and welcome you home to the Northern Region and personally apologize for the confusion.”
For ten years of hell, Erika commented to herself.
“Now if you’ll forgive me, darlings, I have to be going,” she announced as she left in a flurry.
“Who the hell was that?” Vince said it first.
“She is the North’s official representative to the Federal Governing Board. Her family owns fifty thousand acres in North Dakota and are one of the biggest wheat producers left in the US, and she is a major bitch,” he commented, looking around to make certain no one of authority was within earshot.
The Changing Earth Series (Book 3): The Walls of Freedom Page 19