THE PEACE KEEPERS

by Tom Tryst

  Military briefings are one-sided. Only when the commanding officer has completed his information, will any of the troops have an opportunity to ask questions - if then. The Colonel continues, “If anyone is spotted in the cleared area outside the fence, there will be NO verbal warnings and NO warning shots. You will immediately use your phaser at stun strength. When they recover, let them retreat. Anyone making it to the fence or into the Compound, you are to shoot to kill. That goes for anyone armed - on either side of the fence. We do not take prisoners.

  “We will probably have to kill a few before the civilians take us seriously. For the present time, food distribution in the surrounding areas is sufficient to eliminate the need for people to try to raid our farms. But some may have other agendas. Treat all as enemy combatants. Many of you will be assigned to patrol the farm perimeters against raiders; those so assigned will use deadly force; again, no prisoners. Just make sure a suspect isn’t one of the farmers; you will know all of them by both sight and name. The farmers will be instructed as to their movement. If there is any doubt as to identity, stun first. If it turns out to be an intruder, then execute.”

  “I know this is in conflict with the internationally accepted rules of warfare; circumstances dictate these harsh tactics, otherwise violators will keep trying. We may have to kill a few before they give up trying to raid The Compound. And it is just as apt to be large groups as well as individuals. That applies to both men and women. The one exception is children; us a light stun and let them leave. And I’m talking about children, not teenagers. Treat youths as adults.”

  He pauses and looks over the assembled troops. “If anybody has a problem with this procedure, speak up now. If you can’t shoot a civilian, I don’t want you under my command. My door will be open today; if you can’t handle the detail, I’ll transfer you out. I’ll replace you with a soldier who can.” He didn’t expect any to speak up in front of his comrades, but he knew there would be a few to later ask for transfer.

  He continues. “Just keep in mind that things will get worse before they get better. This could be a long assignment. The work being done by our civilians is critical to the survival of mankind as we know it. They have to be protected at all costs. We cannot allow anyone to disrupt their duties; we will not allow any such disruption. Is that clear?”

  Now was the time for anyone to speak up. None did. Their mood was sober as they disbanded.

  The new government, in the process of being appointed by the joint efforts of Co-Presidents Walden and Baker, suddenly had nothing to do. The military coup was sudden and thorough, accomplished without a shot being fired. Most saw it as a necessary move, for military rule crossed all state borders. Only a unified national effort would have any chance of keeping millions of people from dying from hunger and related diseases.

  They already had reports of small nations in utter turmoil. Most were in the Middle East and Africa, where the culling by the Peace Keepers was most severe. Those most effected by the disruption were the desert countries where arid conditions limited their ability to feed themselves. Mass migrations were common, with many perishing en route; those making their intended destinations were met with force. Millions more perished. No country could afford to take in immigrants, for they were having problems feeding their own people. With the mass movement of malnourished people came one pandemic after another; disease swept from one area to another. National borders became killing zones.

  What little air travel there was to and from the United States was grounded. As international trade dwindled, cargo ships entering the country were unloaded without any of their crew being allowed to leave the ship. Some ships were sent away empty. Empty ships were not allowed entry. Gradually, the United States was closing its borders, determined to become self-sufficient. In the absence of a national monetary system, food and medicines were becoming the medium of exchange. Those taking control of food began demanding property of value in exchange - or personal favors. Many young, single women became prostitutes for food. Single women with children were likewise driven to depravation, often involving their minor children. Burglary and thefts were common, as was looting. The military had standing orders to use deadly force in policing the citizenry.

  With hospitals running out of needed medications and supplies, the death rate was increasing. Medics were often faced with the choice of whom they would cure, leaving other to languish and die. Requests from patients wishing to end their suffering were honored.

  With every disruption of the flow of food stuffs, came an increase in crime. Those in need often used force to take from those who had. Nature’s survival of the fittest was beginning to apply to the human species.

  Farms close to urban areas were the first to be raided, soon to be stripped of everything edible, including livestock. As the desperately hungry hoards moved away form the dying cities, more agriculture was disrupted, often ruined beyond recovery. And as the city dwellers began leaving, manufacturing suffered; unable to meet the exchange requirements, less food and medication went to the cities. The military and the pre-empted local law enforcement was completely outnumbered, helpless to stop most of the onslaught. This further interfered with the food distribution system, adding to the hunger of the masses.

  The draft was expanded. Every man and woman between the age of eighteen and fifty-five, married or single, were rounded up for military service. Only those with minor children under their care were exempt. Only those with serious physical impairments were excused. The period of service was indefinite. Refusal to serve was considered treason; treason was punishable by death. Most reluctantly served; at least they would be fed and their health cared for. The only uniforms for draftees, due to a shortage, were fatigues. Few had the phasers; they were issued to the regulars they served with. Most were assigned to support positions, freeing regular troops for enforcement.

  With winter in the northern latitudes, those displaced by hunger were drifting south into the warmer climes, hoping there would still find food in the fields. For the first time in many decades, illegal migrants were crossing back into Mexico by the millions, accompanied by many hungry Americans, only to find agriculture there was also being routinely raided.

  Any animals they came upon were doomed, whether wild or domesticated. They were food. Whole species would not survive, doomed to extinction.

  All the while, those trying to bring mankind back to civilization could do little to change the fate of the people.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Winters in the Hill Country of South Texas tend to be mild, even more so now that global warming has raised the mean temperature of the earth by almost five degrees. They are in an El Nino year, increasing the annual rainfall. So far, there have been only two snowfalls, each less than two inches. The resulting snow quickly melted as daytime highs often reached the high sixties.

  The farmers have been busy constructing hot houses to extend the growing season for many of the vegetables and grains. They are also converting many of the pastures into truck gardens, obtaining needed hay for the livestock through the military. They have also stopped growing all but winter wheat, having received two truckloads of flour and a truckload of rice through the military. The maturing orchards promise to have a good yield this year.

  Several irrigation wells have been drilled to supplement rainfall. They will supply irrigation for fields too far from the lake to use it as a source, as well as a cleaner source of drinking water.

  The military placed a priority on maintaining the dwindling food supply to the region with a fifty-mile perimeter of The Compound. After a few attempts, the locals have given up on any attempts at raiding the Compound, sufficing themselves with the supplies provided by the military. The only problems were when a migrating group would pass through having to learn the hard way that the warning signs meant business.

  The purpose of Daniel’s team is now mostly at identifying any foreign threat, mostly from Mexico and the Central American countries. They are now m
onitoring communication systems around the clock, still working eight hour shifts to assure that the operators are alert. The hours have been eased; they are now working a four-on-four-off schedule to rotate days off, assuring everybody has occasional weekends off. They have ample time off compared to the soldiers.

  Even assigned to day shift, Tabitha’s time with her husband, Victor, is limited. While he normally works a regular day shift as commander of the military detachment, he is often called upon at odd hours. He tries to coordinate his one day off a week to be on one of her days off. Too often he is called out of their bed to resolve some emergency.

  They had their evening meal together, looking forward to a relaxing evening at home, but before they have returned to their apartment, he is called out.

  It is late when he returns, but she has waited up for him. Both have tomorrow off and can sleep in. She turns off the television as he enters, but makes no effort to rise from the couch to greet him.

  “What was it this time?” she asks, trying not to be complaining, but there had been so many times in the past where his presence wasn’t really necessary. She suspects he just doesn’t delegate more authority to his officers.

  “Nothing serious. A detail was at the gate, requesting billeting for the night. They had no such orders.”

  “So, couldn’t the duty officer make the decision?”

  Victor nods. “Standard procedure is to turn them away. They could be imposters.”

  “So why didn’t they?” she asks irritably, “Follow procedure?”

  “They were tired and hungry. It is cold and wet out. The lieutenant in charge of the detail said he knows me. He asked for me.”

  “You couldn’t have spoken to him over the radio?”

  “I didn’t know him well enough to make sure who I was talking to.”

  “You allowed them in,” she assumes.

  He nods.

  “And got them all tucked in?”

  The sarcasm in her voice tells him she is pissed. Even as he tries to think of what to say that will placate her, she continues, “Why do you have to make every damned decision? Don’t you trust your men to follow the rules?”

  “Security is important.”

  “As long as you make all the decisions, they never will take on their responsibility. You’re what we call a micro manager. You have to be involved in everything. They never will start making their own decisions as long as you make them for them.”

  He sits down next to her and starts to put an arm around her, but she abruptly rises and moves to the kitchenette. “Coffee’s still hot,” she says over her shoulder, changing the subject. She doesn’t want to argue.

  He stares at her back for a moment, fighting the impulse to argue, to try to justify his action. Instead, he simply apologizes. “Sorry, Babe.”

  Still not facing him as she prepares two cups of coffee, she tries to keep emotion out of her voice. “I guess I shouldn’t complain. Lord knows we’ve been through this before. You’ll never change. It’s just that we have so precious little time together. Sometimes I wish we were still in the field. At least we were together out there.”

  He said nothing as she returns with the two cups, sets them on the coffee table, and sits down, leaving some space between them. “Thanks, Tab,” he mutters, then adds with as much sincerity he can muster, “I really am sorry.”

  Almost as in defense of him trying to take her into her arms, she holds her cup in front of her with both hands. “I know,” she softly replies.

  “And you’re right. I don’t let my men make enough decisions on their own,” he concedes. “I’ll try to change that. Promise! In fact, at the next briefing, I’ll demand that the officers and sergeants start taking some responsibility. I’ll discourage them from calling me when the procedure is clear.”

  She stares into her cup, not responding.

  “I promise!” he repeats.

  She takes her first sip, makes a face and sets the cup down. “This isn’t what I want!” she declares, rising. “I need a drink! Lets go to the tavern. It’s still open.”

  He would rather go to bed, but he agrees. They walk in silence the block to the watering hole, where both order doubles. Two friends join them. By the second round, both have cheered up. By closing time, both are getting drunk.

  They make it back home and collapse into bed, both too intoxicated to even think about having sex. Another minor crisis avoided - or at least postponed.

  For reasons Daniel writes off as government bureaucracy, the Army relents to the ongoing pressure of the citizenry to designate the population center of The Complex as a township. Tired of just calling it ‘The Village,’ the people want to give it a name. It is a decision arrived at by the powers that be in the Pentagon; the only thing they are leaving up to those who live and work there is the name. They can choose a name. He decides to put the matter to a vote, with every adult casting a ballot with a suggested name.

  It is a pleasant distraction to the daily routine, with a lot of promotion by groups wanting a specific name. After all, this is now their home, and possibly will be for some time to come. Sherry is put in charge of the procedure; the vote will be taken at the next town hall meeting. From the start, she can tell that there will be many names suggested; the name getting the most ballots could be the choice of a relatively few citizens. So she decides that they will count the ballots in front of everyone, then take the three names that have the most ballots and have a ‘vote off’ by a simple raise of hands. This way, more people will be able to say they vote for the town’s new name.

  The three most popular names were Glen Haven, Lake Forest and Oak Park. The clear winner was Glen Haven. Daniel makes the notification to the Pentagon the next morning; the township officially becomes Glen Haven, Texas. While it is still officially a military compound, under military law, they can elect an honorary mayor and town council. As the primary purpose of the civilian workers had evolved to mostly be espionage through the internet, with Daniel Davies as The Director, people consider him the logical choice to be the new major.

  But he declines, citing a conflict of interest. Anything the mayor and council takes action on would first be reviewed by him, then endorsed by Colonel Wells. Final pending approval would be by Gen. Wright. The final approval for any changes would be from the Pentagon. Obviously, is was not much more than an honorary office, but it still gave the people a feeling of some degree of self-rule. - the actual intent of the powers that be.

  It is Sherry Davies who is made the new Mayor of Glen Haven, Texas, by popular vote, possibly due to her activity in selecting the town’s new name. It probably didn’t hurt that her husband is the Director. Her first duty will be to appoint a six-person City Council, with herself being the seventh member to avoid tie votes. Not surprising, all the Council members are women - two from the research staff, two from the civilian workers, one from the farm community and the sixth a spouse of the military force.

  The moral of The Compound improved noticeably. All live with the knowledge that their very existence depends on the government. At any time, the entire project could be scrubbed and the Compound shut down. They are also aware that their survival in the increasingly chaotic world is dependant on their military protection and a steady flow of supplies from the outside. The recent changes promoted by the government indicate to most that the government plans to keep them around for a while, a comforting thought to most, for most have no homes to which they can return.

  It is obvious that the government is sheltering them both physically and emotionally, for little news filters in concerning the rest of the country, nor the rest of the world. Only those working directly under the command of Director Daniel Davies know much of what’s going on through their eavesdropping, but they are under strict orders not to pass on any information to the rest of the community. It is a moral issue. The general population know that there is an ongoing struggle to maintain the flow of food and medicine through the communal system. They know that m
any people want a return to pre-alien times. Democracy. Capitalism. Personal freedom . . . They also assume that things are not going well outside.

  Their only source of outside information is from radio and television, both under government control. The best thing about the changes is that there are no commercials nor promotions. The worse things, there are few new programs. And there are only six channels available by satellite: adult education; juvenile education; two movie channels, one arts and crafts, and the sixth a mix of old travelogues, nature films and sports, with a brief on-the-hour news and public information. Current events are noticeably avoided unless the news is favorable. Radio is simply a variety of music with rare public announcements, with one pleasant surprise: one station is broadcasting old radio programs from the forties and fifties. This is nostalgic for the elderly; amusing for the younger.

  There are six local channels offering a variety of films and old television programs, all devoid of commercials and carefully monitored for content. No pornography. No excessive violence. Two of the local channels are exclusively for children. The same standards apply to the library of videos, CDs and DVDs.

  While all civilians can resign their positions and leave the compound - never to return - all know they are better off where they are. The soldiers assigned to the base consider it easy duty, with a dozen now married to civilians. While fraternization with civilians is prohibited, it is not enforced. Almost half of the enlisted personnel are female. Neither does Daniel discourage his people from socializing with the soldiers. After all, one of his most talented computer hackers is married to the C.O. All one happy family.

  But no one can say how long Glen Haven will last.

  The Monday morning after the announcement that Mayor Sherry Davies had appointed six women to serve as councilwomen until an election could be arranged, Director Daniel Davies calls her into his office. All very formal.