The Rangers Are Coming

by Phil Walker

  “I would rather rely on that, and say nothing or deceive them in anyway,” said Sampson.

  5

  Mains Neck, Virginia

  A helicopter dropped down onto a landing pad in the air center away from the center of Fort Independence. Arcadia, stepped out of the helicopter, flanked by several high-ranking military officers. The chopper made a couple of circuits of the facility before landing to let Arcadia see the layout of the Fort. A tall fence surrounded the five square mile installation. A solid chain link fence filled with long aluminum strips to conceal the contents of the interior from the outside. A row of razor barbed wire covered the top of the 12-foot high fence. Guard towers dotted the perimeter.

  In the center of the Fort was a large building. It was both an assembly hall and could be divided into sections to make classrooms by moving walls. It was built to hold 7,000 people. Flanking the Assembly building were two more buildings at each end. One was the Administration Center, and the other was a huge cafeteria and recreation center.

  Surrounding the core buildings were wide, paved streets that led to a complex of two story barracks. Each barrack would house two hundred men and there were 35 such structures in rows around the Assembly building. Beyond the barracks were fields for training areas, a shooting range, workshops for all the equipment and more classrooms.

  At the far end, in the center was the airfield with a dozen helicopters, large and small. In one corner was a building that housed the power plant of the fort, with electrical lines fanning out to the camp. Outside the walls water poured from a tall waterfall that had been diverted in two places and linked to massive generators.

  All the power lines were buried. The military engineers assured Arcadia that there was more than enough power to supply every conceivable need for the Fort.

  In the other corner, huge tanks, holding diesel fuel were buried and an efficient refinery built on top. It would turn crude oil into fuel in a future time. For now, there was enough fuel stored to run all the engines of all the vehicles for more than a year.

  Along the sides of the Fort were the garages for the Humvees, the Bradley light tanks and the battery of 105 mm artillery howitzers. The armory for all the ammunition for everything was in a reinforced concrete building near the big artillery guns.

  All in all, it was a very compact and efficient fort. Arcadia was very satisfied to see the real thing from the plans she had approved.

  “This way, ma’am” said one of the officers. He led her into the Admin Center and to the big conference room in the center of the building. It was full. No less than three dozen men and a few women were waiting for Arcadia. The codename that was used to refer to her, in communications, was “Lady Hawk.”

  She took her place at the head of the big table, flanked by her senior officers. She waved everybody to their seats and said, “Let’s make it a practice to not stand for me when I come into a room, OK?”

  “Sorry ma’am,” said the Senior General Manny Compton, “We will obey every order you give us, except that one. Allow us to render the respect and honor all of us hold for you.”

  “All right, but let’s keep the ma’am’s down to about one a day. I’m Arcadia.”

  General Compton got to his feet, picked up a pointer, and activated the big screen at the front of the room. “As you can see, Arcadia, Fort Independence is complete. Everything we need to train and equip a Brigade is here. Our permanent party consists of a senior staff of five, 200 training officers, who will become the officers in the field for the men they train. This includes 60 combat teams, an artillery battery, a mechanized arm of 12 Bradley tanks, 20 Humvees, and 60 helicopters that include 20 Blackhawks, 10 Super Huey’s, plus 10 reconnaissance choppers and 20 Chinook ships that will hold 35 men or 15,000 pounds of equipment or supplies.”

  “The men who we’ve selected as trainers are from the Army, Navy, and Marines. They represent the most qualified men in the service, and are trained as instructors in weapons, martial arts, the humanities, and social counselors. Believe me when I say they are the best of the best. Additionally, we have a medical unit of 50 doctors and nurses, and a complete medical facility. We also have political experts, technology, and engineering personnel for all our equipment. We have spare parts for every piece of equipment at the Fort.”

  “Sounds to me that you’re already, raring to go, and wondering when I’m going to get off my butt and start doing a little politicking,” said Arcadia with a smile.

  “We await you’re orders, ma’am,” said the General.

  “All right, the next part of the plan is to have a meeting with George Washington over at Mount Vernon. You do realize when we initiate that part of the plan the gate to our time today will transport everything here to 1770 and we’ll really be on our own. We’ll live or die by our planning and wits.”

  “We’ve decided that the biggest shock value for my entrance will be by one of the scout choppers setting down right in front of the main house, and then flying away quickly, leaving me alone. Our research shows that Washington is in residence now at Mt. Vernon and is expected to be there for a while. My job is to enlist him as a co-conspirator of the plan, and then bring in Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, and Madison. Once that’s done, and I’m satisfied they’ll stay with the plan for the rest of their lives, I’ll bring them all here for a look at the Fort. You have all my gear ready to go?”

  “The techs and directors have assembled the best history lesson you’ve ever seen. It’s all on disc and ready to play from the laptop we are sending with you. We are also giving you a big plasma screen to show it on. We’ll drop that off, along with your luggage when we take you in.”

  “If I need anything, or want to do something new to help me along, I’ll call you on my IPhone.” Arcadia took a deep breath. “All right everybody. We’re going tomorrow.”

  When Arcadia woke the following morning, she knew she was no longer in the 21st Century. She thought there would be more of a noticeable shift, but it was just a surety in her own mind. She knew time had changed. The quest had begun.

  6

  Mount Vernon, Virginia

  George Washington had just completed breakfast and given orders for the day’s work to his staff, when he heard a strange sound. It was like a thumping, and it was getting louder. He got up from his desk and walked to the front door of his home.

  As he opened the door and stepped out onto the veranda, he followed the noise and looked up. He saw a silver craft 200 feet up and coming straight down for the big circle that faced his home. Others came running out to see what was going on. All stood rooted to their spot as the silver craft with a clear glass covering the top of it and a whirling blur above the craft, sat down on the wide walkway and a door on the side opened. A man stepped out of the craft and put a suitcase, a large shoulder bag, and a very large rectangular bag on the ground. Then the man turned and put his hand out to help a young woman step out of the craft. As soon as he’d done this, he jumped back into the craft and with a whoosh; the strange object sprang from the ground and disappeared over the top of the mansion and out of sight. In seconds, it was quiet once more.

  Washington looked at the woman. She was dressed in a shimmering silver/white dress, which covered her from neck to the ground. There was a silver belt around her slim waist. She was very tall, quite attractive, had long flowing blond hair, and the most penetrating blue eyes he could ever remember seeing.

  As he stepped forward toward the woman, he was surprised to see her slip to her knees and hold her hands in prayer. She said, “Most gracious Heavenly Father, I ask you in the name of my Savior Jesus Christ to bless the mission you’ve given me and allow me to speak with the honorable Mr. Washington here at his home at Mount Vernon. Amen.”

  Then the woman smiled and strode forward with a pleasant smile, “Good Morning, Mr. Washington, my name is Arcadia. God has sent me on an important mission to speak privately with you. Will you allow me to come into your home?” She put out her hand, and Was
hington took it. Arcadia shook his hand firmly.

  “What was that strange and mysterious craft in which you arrived,” asked Washington?

  “It’s called a helicopter, Mr. Washington. It’s only a tiny part of the wonders I’ve brought to show you. However, my message to you is vital to the cause of Liberty in these Colonies.”

  “Is that right?” said Washington. “In that case I suppose you should come in and tell me more. Can I help you with your luggage?”

  “Only the large, rectangular bag, it’s quite fragile. Please don’t drop it or allow it to hit your door frame.”

  Washington picked up the bag that held the plasma screen by its strap and carefully carried it into the house, bowing as Arcadia went through the doorway first.

  “You may set it against the wall. It will stand up and won’t fall. Many thanks to you Mr. Washington, I was very much afraid you would not see me or allow me to explain my arrival and my purpose for being here.”

  “You seem to know me,” said Washington, “Yet you have only said you are called Arcadia. Is that your Christian or Family name?”

  “It is my only name, and I hope you will use it.”

  “Very well, Arcadia,” said Washington, “Perhaps you can explain your business here.”

  “You are George Washington, born February 22, 1732, in the new Gregorian calendar, implemented by the British this year. You were born into the provincial gentry of Colonial Virginia; your wealthy planter family owned tobacco plantations and slaves. Both your father and older brother died when you were young. However, you were attached to the powerful William Fairfax, both personally and professionally who promoted your career as a surveyor and soldier. Because of your leadership and intelligence, you quickly became a senior officer in the colonial forces during the first stages of the French and Indian War. Currently you live here at Mount Vernon with your wife, Martha. You are deeply troubled by relations and injustices by the English Crown and have been engaged for some time in ways that British rule of the 13 colonies can be modified or actually dissolved. I am not a British Agent, Mr. Washington, and please note my first action was to pray to God that he bless my mission he’s assigned me to accomplish”

  Washington was surprised, frightened, and impressed with the straightforward behavior of this strange woman. He said,” You not only seem to know a great deal, but you also speak of matters that are seldom spoken in public.”

  “We are not in public, Mr. Washington; we are safe here at your home in Mount Vernon. I know a great many things, things that you’ll be very interested in learning. In fact, my story is so important; it will profoundly change your life.”

  Washington seemed on the verge of losing it when he said, “I don’t know who you are, where you have come from, or what you represent. You speak of things that are considered treason in some circles. I think you should leave my house.”

  ‘Mr. Washington,” said Arcadia evenly, “I more than understand your disquiet at this juncture, but let me ask you something. Don’t you suspect that my arrival here today in a vehicle you’ve never even imagined could suggest matters far more important than you can reasonably dismiss without more information?”

  “What is it that you want from me, Arcadia?”

  “At this point, all I want is some of your time. Surely these mysterious occurrences warrant at least the courtesy of your time.”

  Washington sighed, “Very well, I will listen to your ranting’s or fables, or the work of a demented mind.”

  Arcadia relaxed a little. She had her foot in the door. “Could we use your private office?”

  Washington rose and said, “Come with me.”

  “Would you carry the plasma screen for me again, please?”

  Washington picked up the case and the two of them headed for the office he used. He shooed away the crowd of onlookers who had gathered.

  When they were inside the office, Arcadia unzipped the case on the screen and set it on a table. Then she took out her shoulder bag and pulled out her laptop. She inserted the DVD disc and set the laptop to project onto the screen, adjusting the volume as she did so. She pulled the curtain of the window and the room grew darker. Then she pushed start and sat back.

  The contents of the disc contained a comprehensive history of the world since before the Renaissance. The melodic voice of the narrator told of the plagues, the rise of the Protestant movement, a look at the history of Europe, the wars, the succession to the throne in the British Empire, and the colonization of the new world with the Puritans coming on the Mayflower looking for religious freedom. Arcadia knew that Washington was familiar with all this history. She only showed it to demonstrate the authenticity of the information.

  Washington was mesmerized by the high definition color images and sound he was hearing, but he was watching the content closely. The section ended with the Boston Massacre, which had occurred just months before in March.

  Arcadia turned to Washington and said, “Would you agree that I have correctly reported past history?”

  “Very impressive,” said Washington, “and your magic box is truly a wonder.”

  “Now Mr. Washington, let me show you some more history. This is history to me; however, for you it will represent the future.”

  She started the second section, which detailed the growing unrest in the colonies, the crackdown by the British and the brutal occupation of Boston. Then there was the formation of the Continental Congress when revolution was first discussed. Washington saw the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, saw himself installed as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army and for the next two hours Washington watched in horror the constant defeats of his army, their suffering, their victory in the Delaware crossing at Christmas, and ultimately the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781, with the assistance of the French.

  “This is the true story of the Revolutionary War and the subsequent formation of the United States of America,” said Arcadia.

  “How could you possibly know all these things,” asked Washington?

  “How could I possibly have arrived at Mount Vernon in a helicopter?”

  “Are you trying to tell me that you are here from the future?”

  “What possible other reason could there be? You saw the helicopter. You see this plasma screen with perfect high definition color that magically comes from this disc, out of this machine. Who else but a person from the future could possibly possess such technology?”

  “To what purpose,” asked Washington?

  “Our purposes are the same. You will fight to have a United States. I am fighting to preserve a United States.”

  “You’d better tell me the whole truth,” said Washington.

  “You want it sugar-coated or right between the eyes?”

  “Speak plainly, woman!” cried Washington.

  “Very well, here is the truth. I am from the year 2025. The United States has just been attacked with monstrous weapons. We have 150 million people dead. I prayed for understanding to this atrocity and a vision of God appeared before me. God has determined that in order for this event to be erased I must come back to this time and correct the errors of the past 275 years. It is God who is making this possible. No one can move in time, except God. My mission today is to show you the future of the United States right up to our current crisis and gain your support along with Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, and Hamilton to know the whole truth and convince your fellow countrymen to follow the correct course of history.”

  “I gather that you have other ways of providing me with proof?”

  “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t. And the first thing I’m going to do to prove it is just for you.”

  “What would that be?”

  “I’m going to give you a brand new set of real teeth, George.”

  Washington laughed for the first time, “That would be miraculous, indeed.”

  “I have another six hours of video for you to watch. You won’t like it, but it’s als
o the truth.”

  “Perhaps, we should have something to eat. Are you hungry?”

  “I’m starved,” said Arcadia. “It’s already been a long day.”

  “Then come and we shall have our lunch,” smiled Washington.

  As the two of them were eating a lunch of sausages, bread, hard-boiled eggs, and some cheese, topped off with water that was laced with wine, Washington looked across the table at Arcadia. “Why do I believe you?”

  “I think you are getting some help from the Creator,” said Arcadia with true sincerity. He knew this would be the hardest part. I believe He has put trust in your heart.”

  “Divine Providence,” said Washington, “I believe in that. Something I have difficulty in comprehending is why your group in the future would send a woman.”

  “You will understand, Mr. Washington, the country will evolve over the centuries. However, the answer is found right here in this time. You will write, or rather Thomas Jefferson will write ‘All men are created equal; that they are ordained by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ You must agree that the use of the term ‘men’ is a metaphor for all humanity and includes by definition, women.”

  “In the broad interpretation of those words, very good words of great importance, I would have to agree that women would also be included in that statement.”

  “I was selected to direct this huge operation for the simple reason that the Lord spoke to me in a vision. My father says that the reason for that is that he believes that, as David, I am a person after God’s own heart.”

  “Is that true?”

  “I try to follow the advice of Paul, who says that we should pray continuously, and as he writes in Romans 12, ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of the world, but by transformed by the renewing of your mind’. If Jesus was sent by God to repeat history differently, who am I to question that? Frankly, I’ve no idea why He is doing it this way, but His Ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts.”