Once again, the Arizona State Guard went through a time of rest, reorganization, and training. More than three years passed and during that period, several minor missions came their way! Colonel Marcus Aurelius Roman knew that still more missions awaited the members of the Arizona State Guard and he wanted to ensure his personnel were prepared for whatever the future might through at them.
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Arizona Revised Statute: 26-174. Arizona state guard; establishment; purpose; appropriations
A. If the national guard of Arizona or a major portion thereof is called into active federal service, or if the national guard or a major portion thereof is alerted for federal service or for any other reason the governor considers to be necessary, the governor may establish an armed force for the safety and protection of the lives and property of the citizens of the state which shall be known as the Arizona state guard.
B. The Arizona state guard shall insofar as practicable be governed by and subject to the laws of the state pertaining to the national guard. The governor shall issue or cause to be issued rules to govern administration and organization of the state guard.
C. Appropriations made to the national guard shall be deemed appropriated to both the national guard and the Arizona state guard, if and when the latter organization is established, and any funds that are unexpended from appropriations to the national guard may be used for establishment and maintenance of the Arizona state guard.
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Chapter 1
August 20th
Phoenix, AZ
Colonel Marcus Aurelius Roman of the Arizona State Guard walked down the partially empty and preternaturally quiet halls of the Valle del Solar Hospice Center. Marcus was in his thirties, tall, handsome, dark haired, and tanned from a life lived in the great outdoors. His ASGuard dress uniform was spotless and his ribbon rack displayed his years of service in the U.S. Army Special Forces as well as Arizona’s premiere defense organization.
Marcus was at the hospice to visit an old friend, Liam W. Evanston, who was wasting away from cancer. The disease had worn away at the vibrant, large-framed man until he was just a shadow of his former self. Marcus never knew if his visit with Evanston would be his last with the noted author.
Marcus reached the door to Evanston's room and paused to take a deep breath. Releasing the breath slowly, he reached out and knocked softly on the door. A weak "Come in!" could be heard coming from inside the room, so Marcus opened the door and entered.
"Ah, Marcus, my boy! Come in, come in," said Liam W. Evanston, a wan smile on his emaciated face. He was propped up in a bed, a rolling table across his lap was piled high with books and manuscripts. His once thick, 'salt and pepper' hair and beard were now thin wisps of white. His once deep voice had been reduced to a whisper. Missing were his normally ever present Alaskan Huskies. Evanston had seldom gone anywhere without them but the hospice wouldn’t allow them to be with Evanston, even for a visit.
Evanston waved weakly and said, "Come in, my boy!" Marcus crossed the floor quickly to Evanston's bedside and took the man’s right hand gently in his hand and shook it slowly.
"Hello Liam, how are you today," Marcus asked.
"Well, as an ol’ Marine buddy of mine says, 'I'm still on the green side of the grass!'" replied Evanston impishly. "And so far…both of us still are! For now, at least." Marcus smiled at Evanston's sense of humor, even in the face of death.
Liam W. Evanston was a prolific, award-winning author in a multitude of genres from westerns to science fiction to histories to political commentary. Respected by friends and foes alike, Evanston was a literary legend and, even more, was a true patriotic believer in the ideals of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. It was this patriotism that flowed throughout his each of his books like the blood of life itself.
It was his interest in politics and history more than anything else that had bound Evanston to the members of the Arizona State Guard. It was his patriotic belief in the United States of America and his adopted state of Arizona that bound them to him. Many ASGuard troopers, to include their commanding general, Titus Augustus Roman, were fans of Evanston and avid readers of anything he wrote.
For the past few years, Evanston had worked closely with Governor Ellie Alvarez, General Roman, Colonel Marcus Roman, and the officers and enlisted personnel of the Arizona State Guard to write a comprehensive history of the origin of that organization. During that time, he had celebrated their victories and mourned their losses with them. He had lost quite a few friends amongst the ASGuard and now they were going to lose him!
"Now, now...stop that! Enough with the long face," Evanston chided his young friend. "I've lived a long, full, and rich life. I've loved and been loved. I am surrounded by my family and friends. And my literary legacy will live on!" Evanston paused to take a sip of water then placed the cup back on the rolling table. He patted one neat stack of manuscript paper with his left hand. "Here it is! The galleys of my magnum opus...something I thought I'd never live long enough to witness, let alone write: 'The Death of a Nation'...not a great title but at least it's truthful!"
Marcus Roman knew the manuscript well. Evanston had sent drafts of it to Marcus and his wife, Teresa, as well as to Titus and Marion Roman, Marcus' parents, to ask for their inputs. Each of the Romans agreed with Evanston’s conclusions about the degeneration and collapse of the old United States of America that had, in turn, birthed the People's Socialist States of America and a new United States of America. Perhaps, if the book had been written years before the collapse and subsequent cold civil war between the PSSA and the new USA and then read by every American, the collapse might have been prevented. Then again, maybe not! The end result of the collapse was two nations with diametrically opposing political viewpoints existing on the same continent where the old U.S. had once existed. Two nations that were now locked into a cold war with one another...a cold civil war that Marcus and others knew was beginning to heat up!
Evanston cleared his throat before continuing. "I heard back from my publisher today and they're ready to rush this into print. I've made arrangements with Jess to resolve any issues if I 'slip this mortal coil' before it's done!" Jess was Jessica Allison Evanston, Liam's niece and, in recent years, writing partner. Liam had taken her under his wing when she decided to become an author. Together, they'd written more than 30 books in numerous genres. Marcus knew that Liam and Jess had developed dozens upon dozens of story outlines for Jess to complete in the years to come.
"Enough of that kind of talk, mister!" said Marcus, trying to be stern yet affectionate with his dying friend. Marcus' eyes were tearing up as he looked into Liam's face trying to reconcile what he saw with the once strong man he had known.
"Marcus, I'm a realist...not a fatalist. We all die...and that time is not always of our choosing. Look at what happened to Temp and Abe!"
Evanston was speaking of Marcus Roman's comrades-in-arms, Sergeant Major Aaron 'Temp' Templeton and Master Sergeant Ebrihim 'Abe' Mokri, who died battling a group of Islamic terrorists who had tried to spray radioactive liquids over several of Arizona's major cities. The loss of those two men, as well as several others, had had a tremendous impact upon the surviving members of the Arizona State Guard. That impact lasted to this day, more than three years after the incident.
"Look, Marcus," Evanston began, "we all are born, we live, and we die. It's the way things have been ever since human beings came along. And it'll keep happening that way long after I'm gone...which I ain't yet, so let's not fuss about it, okay? Let's change the topic to more interesting things. First, how are your lovely wife and my godson doing?"
Marcus smiled at Liam's mention of his wife, Teresa, and their young son, Julian. The boy was a strong, handsome, and outgoing toddler who was with Teresa in Sedona, Arizona, closing out her late grandparent's affairs. Teresa Cortez Roman had been raised by her grandparents, Isabel and Ernesto Cortez, after the death of her parents. One month ago, Ernesto Corte
z had suffered a massive stroke and died hours later. Isabel Cortez followed her husband less than a day later. She had laid down for the evening, gone to sleep, and simply slipped away during the night. Teresa Roman told family and friends that she knew her abuela wouldn't want to live without her soulmate.
Marcus answered Evanston honestly, "They're in Sedona. With Ernesto and Isabel passing away last month, Teresa is closing out their estate. She's holding up well. As for Julian, he's growing like a weed and is as ornery as his father, grandfather, and godfather all rolled into one!"
"In other words, a regular little hellion then, eh?” Evanston said with a smile and a chuckle. "That boy will go far, mark my words, Marcus…mark my words! And how are your folks, Marcus?"
"Mom and the General are fine, Liam! Dad said he was sorry he couldn't drop by last week for your chess game. The governor has had him in a swarm of meetings lately as part of the President's plan of dispersing the populations of the larger cities," answered Marcus. "Mom is enjoying being a grandmother and spoiling Julian rotten! She says it's her job!"
Evanston nodded, "And right she is! Wish I'd spoiled my grandkids more. Get back at my kids for being ornery like their old man, eh! Well, you tell your father that I'm not letting him off the hook just because I'm feelin’ sickly! I need to pay him back for those last two games. He royally trounced me…and I want revenge!" Marcus nodded and said he would pass that along.
Evanston looked at his manuscript then back to Marcus Roman before speaking again. "So they listened to me, eh? Too many people in the cities…far too many people, and too much dependence on government and not enough self-reliance. Move the jobs into smaller communities wherever possible and move the people to those communities, as well. More jobs, builds the economy and infrastructure, and more of a sense of community for the citizens! And it disperses the population to reduce their vulnerability. Of course, the Piss Ants aren't doing it, right?"
Marcus grinned at Evanston's use of the common pejorative for the citizens of the People's Socialist States of America. "Well, we can't expect them to use anything close to common sense. Of course, they're experiencing other problems. Far too many people on the public dole; far too few working to support those who don't work. And they're taxing their workers out the wahzoo. Their economy is near collapse and their answer is to bring in more and more foreign workers, most of them to their already overcrowded cities."
"Just like I predicted," said Evanston, "and those immigrants aren’t assimilating into the local culture, are they?"
"Nope," Marcus replied. "And the violent crime rates in PSSA cities have continued to spike dramatically."
"Also as I predicted," replied Evanston. "The damn fools running the PSSA are creating a ticking time bomb in their cities, Marcus. That's where their country will start its collapse. And, if we're not careful, it could cause a ripple effect across the continent and happen within our borders! Speaking of borders, how are things on the borders, son?"
"Quiet to the north and south," answered Marcus. "But we've had a sharp increase in the number of folks wanting to rejoin the United States as they figure out what’s happening in the PSSA. President McPheron's new program to help these folks resettle comes with a stern warning about assimilating into our culture. We have no desire to have folks try to undermine us from within ever again!"
Evanston nodded. His eyelids were getting heavy and it was evident to Marcus that this visit would need to end soon; it was time to let Evanston rest. "Well, Liam, I'd best be getting along."
Liam Evanston roused himself from dozing off. "There’s no need to rush off, Marcus!"
"Well, I'm due to fly back to the Verde Valley in an hour or so," the young ASGuard officer said. "And you need to get some rest, old friend!"
Evanston reached out shakily with his right hand and took hold of Marcus' right hand. "Marcus, I do thank you for dropping by. And for your friendship...for letting an old codger like me be a part of your life these past few years."
"It's been my honor, Liam," Marcus said solemnly, tears starting to well up in his eyes.
"You tell Teresa, your mom, and the General, I said hello, now. Give my godson a big hug for me! And tell your old man I'm looking forward to our next chess game!" Liam W. Evanston said with a grin.
"I most certainly will, sir!" Marcus replied. "You take it easy, now."
"I will, I will," responded the dying author. "Be safe!"
Marcus nodded, smiled, and gently shook Evanston's hand one more time. Then he turned and left the room. He paused at the door and said, "Liam, I'll drop by again soon!" But will you still be here? Marcus asked himself. No, I don't think so, answered another part of his mind.
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Marcus was lost in thought as he drove back to ASGuard Headquarters. The drive passed quickly. The streets of Phoenix seemed peaceful for the first time in years. Over the past year and a half, the population of the great metropolitan area had begun to be dispersed to other smaller population centers in Arizona and in other surrounding states.
Moments later, Marcus was waved through the main gate to ASGuard Headquarters. The old place has certainly changed since the Arizona State Guard was founded, thought Marcus. The facility had once been an old National Guard armory with several large buildings that had been added or modified over the years. A new headquarters building, dormitories, upgraded armory, motor pool, hangars, and helicopter pads had been built. Wherever possible, the older buildings had been retained and upgraded to serve new purposes.
A large, open drill field took up one corner of the ever growing base. A fresh group of new ASGuard basic recruits were running the obstacle course as Colonel Roman drove by. The recruits’ training instructor snapped to attention and saluted as Marcus drove past. Marcus returned the salute and waved.
Many members of the Arizona State Guard were veterans of the United States military forces. Others, like this group, were joining with no prior military training or experience. Their training instructors were culled from veterans of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard basic training programs.
Marcus parked his vehicle in front of the headquarters building, got out, and began the walk to the front entrance. He received several salutes and salutations from several ASGuard members along the way. One young trooper was just leaving the building when he saw Roman approach and held the door open for the colonel.
"Thanks, Tony," said Marcus.
"You're most welcome, Colonel Roman!" the young man, Private Tony Parker, responded. Parker was a member of Roman's unit, the ASGuard's 1st Tactical Battalion, also known as Roman's Legion. The private was assigned to Major Alexander Hebert's Charlie Company, nicknamed Hebert's Headhunters, and had been injured during a recent training exercise in Oak Creek Canyon in Central Arizona.
Roman paused to ask, "How's the knee coming along, Tony? We wouldn't want to go into action without you!"
Parker blushed and smiled. "It's coming along nicely, sir! Thank you for asking. The new surgery technique they used repaired the damage. Now the physical therapists are trying to get my muscles around the knee back into shape. Maybe a couple of weeks, colonel!"
"Great!" Marcus responded. "I look forward to seeing you back in the Verde Valley soon then!" Marcus clapped the younger man on the shoulder before entering the building and heading for the stairs. Several moments later, he entered the offices set aside for his use while in town. His staff personnel leaped to their feet as he entered. "At ease, everybody!"
Major Tommi Thompson, the 1st Battalion's executive officer, asked Roman, "How is Mr. Evanston doing, sir?" As she asked, she noticed a look of sorrow come over Roman's face.
"Not well," Marcus answered. "Not well, at all." Like the other ASGuard troopers, Thompson had grown to know and respect the author. In many ways, Evanston had reminded her of her maternal grandfather. Marcus paused for a moment and turned to his executive officer. "Tommi, let's get a large card and get as many members of Roman's Legion as
possible to sign it. Let Liam know we're thinking of him!"
Marcus turned toward his sergeant major, Tobias Cowen, "Tobias, what's the status of our flight to the Verde Valley?"
Cowen replied swiftly, "We lift off in thirty mikes, colonel. We're all packed, have our updates, and new personnel ready to ship out. We put your kit in with the rest and everything will be aboard our copters when we get there."
"Alright then! Let's shut this place down, get our butts out to the helipads, and go home!" said Marcus cheerfully. This brought a flurry of motion as his personnel quickly logged out of their computers and shut them down. Marcus had just enough time to step over to his computer and punch up a video meeting with his father, General Titus Augustus Roman.
Marcus smiled at his father's image then spoke. "Sir, Centurion and team will be departing shortly. I just wanted to take a moment to let you know we're heading out and to give you a quick update on Liam." Marcus went on to tell his father about his visit to the author's sick bed. Titus Roman sighed and nodded his head in heartfelt sorrow. As an old soldier, Titus had lost many friends to war, accident, disease, and natural causes over his lifetime. It was never easy to lose a friend.
"I'll drop by the hospice center this evening, then," said the general. "Are we still on schedule to fully activate the new base next month? The governor was asking for an update.”
“Yessir, September 20th! We’ll be ready,” Marcus replied enthusiastically.
“Excellent, son! Well, you have yourself a safe flight back. Give Teresa and Julian our love. Mother and I hope to be up there next week."
"Will do, Dad! Give Mom a hug and kiss for me! Take it easy!" With that, Marcus signed off, logged out, and shut the computer down. He stepped back into the outer office to find his personnel waiting, ready to go. "Let's shake it, troopers!" he told them and led the way out the door.
The Arizona State Guard Trilogy Page 38