“No. Just let me know if you hear anything.”
Ahmed walked back into the cave where Jasmine and his first wife were preparing his meal. He said to his first wife, “Go outside and collect wood and dung for the fire.” She nodded while staring her frustration into the ground at being tasked with duties typically handled by children or slaves. She wisely did not voice any of these frustrations as she walked out of the cave.
Jasmine observed this exchange and prepared herself mentally for whatever her husband would demand of her.
“The aid girl,” Ahmed said with less demand in his voice and more curiosity. “Is she still of value?”
Ahmed understood that some women functioned better than others after being assaulted as the aid girl had been.
“My husband,” Jasmine said carefully. “She was almost useless for the first two days after your fighters succumbed to her subtle enticements. I don’t understand how she could hold them responsible when she looked directly into their eyes and let them see too much of her shape through her robe, while teaching them. I finally explained to her that if she wanted to live, she should strive to become a Muslim woman, and she should be glad that there are no family members that would stone her for having brought out the beast in your fighters. I think now she is being useful again.”
Jasmine was quiet for a few moments before saying, “But, her usefulness will be done when your fighters are sent to kill the Infidels.”
Ahmed looked sharply at her, only to find that she had dropped her eyes and bowed her head. He was aware that now Jasmine felt the aid girl might even tempt him, and before that should happen, Jasmine hoped the girl would be used as a slave by many men before being killed. It pleased him to see some jealousy in his favorite wife.
. . .
A classified facility outside of Lexington, Kentucky
1630 Hours EST
The Governor of Kentucky entered the room with the head of his security detail, the Lieutenant Governor, and the state Senate majority leader. “Please accept my apologies, gentlemen. We were unavoidably delayed.”
He could see General Thompson, six of his officers, and two civilians.
The Commanding General introduced his officers first, followed by the Commissioner of the Kentucky State Police, who the Governor already knew, and Fred Callahan. The Governor nodded with understanding during the initial introductions until the General came to Fred, which caused him to glance at the General with one eyebrow raised.
“Governor, Fred, here, is the Chief of Police in Cronin. He’s also the father of Sean Callahan, one of our most recent war heroes. He’s been assisting with the emergency preparedness folks for several years now and may have contributions to make to our meeting.”
Listening, the Governor saw the General give him a slight nod of his head, indicating that Fred was completely trustworthy.
“Thank you, Fred,” the Governor said warmly. “Glad to have you with us. And you, too, Commissioner. General, is there any problem with classification level? I know this facility can handle almost anything, but do the Commissioner and Chief Callahan have clearances?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem, Sir. Both the Chief and Commissioner have SECRET clearances, and I’ll make sure to avoid any information with a higher classification.”
The General referred to the common practice of removing items from highly classified information, such as sources and methods that would drive its sensitivity above the SECRET level.
The Governor continued, “Thanks, General. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s take just a moment before we get started and pray for our Commonwealth, our nation, and even our world.”
What followed for another few minutes was a prayer worthy of being given in one of the world’s great cathedrals. It was heartfelt, articulate, and yet another example of why this Governor had been elected. Everyone in the room would later recollect the feeling that God was, in fact, watching over them during the meeting.
“General, would you please fill everyone in on what we discussed last evening?” The Governor wanted to hear what everyone else had to say before coming out with his own ideas.
The General gave a summary of both the probability of the President soon declaring a State of Emergency and what he had learned from Coyote Collins.
“The bottom line appears to be the President will soon declare what amounts to Martial Law in the United States, but without the restrictions of being required to follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice. She will also ignore most of the previously planned emergency operations procedures to establish her own appointed governing system. Must have been her friends at UC Berkley who came up with that one. I suspect the various National Guard units may be less than fully supportive of these regional Governors and the Homeland Security group that will be organizing and ordering people around.”
The questions came fast and furiously from the General’s officers and even the Commissioner. Both the Governor and Fred merely observed with keen interest. More often than not, the General’s answer to a question was, “I don’t know.”
When asked if the President could actually do these things, the General said, “The State of Emergency and existing Presidential Executive Orders do have the force of law. With the Supreme Court evenly divided and the recent death of the conservative Justice, it’s likely any legal challenges would be quickly swept away.”
The air in the room hung heavy with the weight of what was to come. After the fifth consecutive, “I don’t know” uttered by the General, everyone turned to look to the Governor for his comments. Instead of sharing those thoughts, the Governor looked at Fred.
“Mr. Callahan,” the Governor asked softly. “Would you care to share your thoughts on this situation?”
“Governor, I appreciate the level of trust you have shown by having me here. In the spirit of that trust, I’m going to share a few things that I’d appreciate not leave this room. Please refrain from sharing it even with those with higher security clearances and the apparent need to know. Can each of you do that for me?”
Fred had the focused and somewhat surprised attention of everyone in the room as each man voiced their agreement. “You may or may not know that my son Sean is with the Army Special Forces and had his leg blown off during a covert operation in Afghanistan. It’s not known to many, including a lot of Special Ops folks that he’s here at home recuperating from his wounds. He has also been tagged to do some super-secret stuff inside the borders of the United States and has a small staff at my home answering to him. I don’t know exactly what they are doing, but let me just say that everything you have mentioned here today seems to be confirmed.”
Fred paused before saying, “That’s all I will say on that subject. On the subject of what we in Kentucky should do about it, I’ll just make a few observations that did not originate with my son. It seems to me that the President is preparing to seize control of this country and will immediately institute all of the policies that she hasn’t been able to get through Congress. One of the more frightening things I think she’ll do is to void the Second Amendment and start to seize guns from citizens, like what was done to a limited extent in New Orleans during hurricane Katrina. Once the guns have been seized, or the process to do so has been started, she will send out her Homeland Security Department people to collect resources such as fuel and food to gain control over the American people. Face it, folks, if you control the food and other resources, those of her mindset think they can control the people. It didn’t work out very well with Venezuela or dozens of other socialist countries in recent years, but I don’t think she either knows or cares much about history.”
Each person in the room contemplated the enormity of it all. Fred said, “We can also figure that she will try to use the
military to enforce her will. Her Martial Law or Emergency Declaration will temporarily put even the Posse Comitatus Act on hold. You probably know that’s the law that makes it illegal to use the military to enforce civil law on the American people.”
“My question for you, General, and you, Governor, is what will you do when Coyote Collins comes to you and demands you provide soldiers and resources to begin seizing guns and other necessities smart people have stored away for emergencies?”
All eyes fell on the Governor. “Fred, thank you for that information and I ask everyone here to think about what Fred has been able to share, but then forget that he was even here. In addition, no covert military people are in Kentucky outside of Ft. Knox and Ft. Campbell. Understood?” Everyone nodded agreement.
“Good. I think Fred has accurately summed up what we’re facing. Here’s what comes to my mind. General, no matter what the Homeland Security people or even the duly appointed regional Governor has to say, you are in command of the Kentucky National Guard. I suggest you make sure your commanders become quietly aware that you and I and the people of this Commonwealth don’t think their services should be used for other than their intended purpose. General, how can you do that without being summarily replaced by the Pentagon?”
The General looked to his Adjutant, who he knew was an extremely bright and competent attorney well versed in the law.
The Adjutant said, “General, what I would recommend is that you have very private ‘off the record’ meetings with individual Guard Commanders. You can explain the situation, including your thoughts that the Constitution is not suspended even under a State of Emergency or Martial Law. Also, reasonable men can interpret orders within that framework. If any Commander has doubts about an ordered action, he is required by the Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice to delay action until he has checked with higher authority. You might even suggest, Sir, that they should contact me for legal advice. Should I be unavailable for, say, a day or two or longer, then they can reasonably inform whoever gave them the inappropriate order that they are waiting for confirmation by higher headquarters. As you can see, Sir, this can effectively delay any demand for action for at least several days and potentially indefinitely. Sir, I agree with most everyone in this room that the National Guard should not be placed in the position of becoming thugs for this or any administration.”
A fast look around the table confirmed universal agreement.
The Governor looked at Fred before asking, “Chief, would your son be amenable to a very quiet and unofficial visit from me? If it puts you in a position of betraying a confidence, it doesn’t need to happen.”
“Chief Callahan,” the General said quickly, “so that you know, I had heard from a member of my staff that your son was recuperating at home with you and your wife. I think word leaked out from someone in your neighborhood. Regardless, we were in the process of working on some way to honor him as a Kentucky war hero just last week. That will, of course, be postponed indefinitely.”
After a moment’s thought, Fred said, “Governor, I’ll ask him, but I think it can be arranged. It would probably be better if you met him someplace secure. I know of an abandoned farm outside of Cronin that’s up a hollow and protected by a locked gate. He’s starting to move around pretty well on his new store-bought leg, so if you don’t mind meeting in a vehicle, that would be pretty secure.”
“Sounds good to me,” said the Governor. “David, would you work with the Chief and set it up? The sooner the better, if you please. “
The Governor’s security chief responded with, “Yes, Sir.”
“Chief Callahan” the Governor said, “You have my authority to brief your son on anything we have discussed here today.”
“Oh, and General?” The Governor asked as an afterthought, “All the food and medical supplies we have been stockpiling for emergencies are those subject to seizure by Homeland Security or by Coyote?”
The General glanced at his Adjutant, who sadly nodded in the affirmative.
The Governor slammed his open palm down on the table in frustration and said, “That simply won’t do. Won’t do at all.” All present nodded agreement.
Chapter 19
The New Year - Plus Eight Days
The Broehm Residence
Outside of Cronin, Kentucky
2100 Hours EST
Mike Broehm had to dry the tears from his eyes. While they waited for the arrival of Fred Callahan, Peter Worthington had given a rendition of Kerry DuBois’ wife henpecking him for not doing his chores. In a different time or setting it might not have been nearly as funny. Now, however, everyone was on edge and needed the comic relief.
Sean Callahan was seated comfortably next to Linda Sharpe on the couch with his artificial leg propped up on a padded chair. All had gathered at Mike’s place after Mike had received the call from Fred Callahan that he was on his way. Sean’s mom, Penny Callahan, had come over with Sean and Linda. When Mike heard the driveway alarm sound, he poured a generous helping of fine Kentucky bourbon in a glass with one large ice cube and handed it to Fred as he walked in the door.
“Thanks, Mike. Just what the doctor ordered,” Fred said, as he walked over to the chair by the fireplace, drink in hand. He didn’t sit down, but instead took a long pull on his drink before jumping right into his briefing.
“Normally, I would want to start off with small talk and even a funny story or two. But how about I just jump right into what I can tell you?”
All nodded at Fred without comment. “I received the okay from the Governor to brief you, Sean, so I’m going to figure that’s enough authority for me to brief everyone here.”
“First, Sean, the Commanding General of the Army National Guard, Steven Thompson, was aware you were convalescing at my house and had planned to arrange for a presentation in the near future. Yes, I know, that wouldn’t have happened anyway. You’ll understand better in a few minutes. Also, the Governor has requested that you meet with him confidentially in the very near future. I’ll let you think about your answer to that request as I explain what I learned.”
Fred described the bazar meeting with the Governor and National Guardsmen. “Official word has been received that the President will be declaring a State of Emergency very soon. When she does, Coyote Collins will be appointed Regional Governor for a three state region including Kentucky. General Thompson was introduced to Coyote at a fundraiser, along with, of all people, our very own Kerry DuBois.”
Looking at Sean and Linda, Fred said, “Coyote is our State Democratic Party Chairman and political hack. He’s also a man without any honor or scruples. Kerry is one of our neighbors who believes himself to be a political mover and shaker. A real slimy weasel, that one. It is anticipated that the National Guard will be ordered to support the Department of Homeland Security goons in whatever socialistic actions they deem desirable.”
Sean interrupted his father, “Dad? Will the National Guard follow those orders?”
“That’s the thing, son,” Fred said. “The National Guard will drag their feet and make excuses to the point where the DHS people will have to do whatever they have in mind themselves. In fact, I can imagine there’s going to be a whole lot of very frustrated DHS managers running around Kentucky. When they can’t get the Guard to do their dirty work, they’ll hire thugs and send them out. Unfortunately, the Governor’s not going to be able to do much to stop them.”
Sean interrupted again to say, “Dad, does the Governor know that he’ll be a target for them?”
“Yes, he does. In fact, at my recommendation, his State Police security detail is being tripled and a detachment of National Guard MPs are going to be assigned to support them.”
A smile appeared on Fred’s face.
“I saw a slide show highlighting the capabilities of Combat Military Police units. The MP’s will consist of one of those units who just returned from Afghanistan. Those guys have some very serious hardware!”
Mike interjected a question for the first time. “Fred, what about our county and even our neighborhood? Do you foresee trouble coming our way?”
“Yes, Mike, I do, especially when Kerry thinks he has acquired some power.” Fred looked troubled as he added, “And despite my new relationship with the Governor and General Thompson, I don’t think they’ll be able to do anything about it should a band of DHS goons decide to come pillaging our way.”
After a moment for this to sink in, Fred looked to Sean and asked, “Son, I suspect you’ve got a lot more experience at this sort of thing than I do. What do you suggest?”
It took only a second for Sean to think about the question before he said, “Dad, technically I could even be part of the problem. That being said, and I cannot explain further, here’s what we’re going to need to do.”
Sean continued for the next forty-five minutes detailing preparations, actions, and training the neighborhood and its inhabitants needed to begin immediately.
“Fortunately,” said Sean, “many of the items on the list were already in progress, thanks to Mike’s gentle prodding.”
A chuckle was heard around the room because everyone recalled Mike’s prodding wasn’t particularly gentle, but was very effective. Considering the group with whom he was working, it was somewhat amazing how well everyone worked together and especially how they seemed to accept his leadership.
Linda had thanked Lauren for the notepad and pen she had provided earlier and took professional notes that laid out the plan. Sean also mentioned he would ask some of the guys he had working with him if they would like to volunteer to help with training, on their own time, of course.
The Final Proclamation (An America Reborn Thriller Book 2) Page 11