From Within

by Brian Delaney

  “CMA military. I’m one hundred percent certain. At the first camp we visited in northeastern Pennsylvania and the one outside of Philly. Both of those camps had the massive tent that was like an administrative headquarters. Both had uniformed and armed personnel. Get this,” Marcus said excitedly as he leaned forward on the table, “I’m pretty sure that supply depot had military equipment. You know, weapons and ammunition and stuff. There was about half of the depot they didn’t want us filming. I was still able to see some of it.”

  “Hmm,” Thomas grunted as he sat back in his chair. “I’m beginning to wonder if our estimate of their capabilities is falling a little short. We’ve known some of what you told me. We’ve had some people inside the CMA for some time now. It was all super secret government projects up until the last few weeks.” Thomas now leaned forward against the table and cocked his head to the side in thought. “You know, Marcus, our insiders only have access to so much information. I think unless one is running the CMA, most of their personnel is purposely kept in the dark on operations not pertinent to their immediate work. Having someone in your position,” Thomas now had a growing excitement in his voice, “someone who gets to travel from place to place and see the behind the scenes, so to speak, could gain us a lot more information.” Thomas slowly lifted his head and appeared like he had just discovered fire for the first time.

  “Wasn’t that the plan all along for me?” Marcus asked curiously. He was now puzzled in what they had originally wanted him for if Thomas was coming up with this new plan on the fly. “You said your group had me pegged as a key element in fighting this.”

  “Well, the plan was for you to start announcing the CMA’s plans on the news. We are ready to hack into and hijack all the major news outlets,” Thomas said which caused Marcus to raise an eyebrow. “I think it would be better to have you keep up the disguise and gain more information before we go with the original plan.”

  What have I gotten myself into? Marcus thought.

  “You still want to hijack the news and have me tell people what the CMA is doing? That seems risky to me. I’d think they’d be putting a price on my head for that. Anthony said a lot without actually saying it.”

  “Yes, it would still need to be done. We need the people on our side. I know there’d be a risk for you. That’s a question you’ll have to ask yourself and a decision you have to make on your own. But, do it sooner than later. The ball is already in motion. We want you, Marcus. You are America’s household name in news.”

  Marcus leaned back and sunk deep into his chair. He let out a long sigh. This is not what he had in mind. He had thought about this kind of thing before, but now it was real. It was right before him. His brother was the soldier, not him. This was dangerous. He would have to be a spy, not just acting, but living out a lie. Then, when they decided, he would have to put his own face on TV in opposition to this giant machine. His neck would be on the line. Thomas could see Marcus’s apprehension and thought he needed to give him some guiding words.

  “Marcus, you are a key element to fixing our country. You’ve reached something many people seek and toil for their whole lives. You have fame and fortune. What good will those things be if the country continues on the same course? Is that fortune even yours anymore? Remember, they took over banks. Can they do whatever they want with your money? Will all that hard work be erased? I’m not just talking about money. Even those without that wealth, there is freedom, liberty, their rights! They have ownership in this country. Under the CMA’s plan, will they have that? I certainly doubt it. You said they are micro-managing you to make sure the public only hears what they want them to hear. You will have to throw away all of your beliefs in what this country stands for so you can start taking the shovels full of what they will be feeding you and everyone else. Sure, a lot of what they will be saying and doing will appear promising and tempting. It will only be a means to an end. A candy trail leading to a hidden pitfall. Now is the time we must act. Now, Marcus! The fight will only get harder and the battle more complex as time goes on. Yes, we are asking you specifically to take a huge risk that could result in harm to you or even death. But, the alternative is to live out the death of our freedom. You’ll be living the life they choose for you. You must do this, Marcus.”

  Marcus was energized by what Thomas said but still had his uncertainties. “I...I just don’t know. I know I don’t want the alternative. I just need to think this through. We don’t know for sure what the CMA’s plan is.”

  “You are making excuses,” Thomas retorted curtly. He paused for a moment and then sighed. “I’m sorry for that,” Thomas said more calmly. “Forgive me, Marcus. I know this is a lot to ask. Take some time to think about what I’ve said and think about the plan. See what you can learn about the CMA. I am ninety-nine percent certain I am right on their motives, though, I’ve been following their moves for several years now. You need to learn it for yourself.”

  “I think...that would be good,” Marcus said as he nodded his head. He started to feel guilty. There was a spark of shame forming somewhere deep inside. How could Thomas, an older man, have so much confidence and bravery facing this situation? Why, after all his brave speeches on the news program, did he back off in the face of opposition? Is that all I am? Talk? He wanted to stand up tall and say he’d do it without any trembling of his hands; without any doubt in his mind.

  *****

  Thomas left the subject alone as they wandered around his ranch awaiting other leadership to arrive so Marcus could meet them. They covered only a small portion of the large property. Surrounding the complex of Thomas’s house and other buildings was mostly wide open fields of grass. Just like the fields Marcus saw from the helicopter the day before, the grass was mostly tan and dormant. Although walking amongst the grass, he could see hints of green from new growth pushing through. Marcus could smell smoke on and off as they walked around. He could tell it wasn’t like campfire smoke which he would be able to tell the different woods like pine or oak, but it was a dirty smoke smell. He was reminded of burning plastic or almost like the smoke emitted from welding. He figured there must be a town nearby that had rioting overtake it.

  As they approached the house Thomas explained what the other buildings were. One was a large workshop. It held ranch equipment such as a tractor, woodworking tools, fuel storage, and many other necessities for a working ranch. There was a barn and feed house and an oversized garage. Thomas had an addiction for vehicles, it seemed. They walked through the garage and Marcus must have counted a dozen vehicles.

  They headed back to the house after leaving the garage. They needed water after the lengthy walk. They heard a helicopter approaching and Thomas figured it would be the few that lived in Manhattan. Thomas and Marcus waited in the front room for all the other guests to arrive. Thomas warned Marcus that since everyone for the Foundation would be here, they would probably talk some business. They would have to talk privately without Marcus to decide if everyone would be fine with him sitting in on that portion of their gathering. As everyone trickled in, the introductions began. Of course, being a nationally known face and voice, the introductions seemed one-sided to Marcus.

  The group shifted to the basement where it was a more comfortable setting along with an extensive selection of bourbon at the bar. Marcus remained in the front room for a short time while it was unanimously decided that Marcus could hear any American Rights Foundation business that was discussed during the evening. Marcus had feared that most everyone would try to convince him the same as Thomas had on his duty to the country and their foundation. Thomas must have mentioned during their private talk that he already spoke with Marcus on the subject because no one else brought it up. It was really a relaxed setting, especially with the bourbon flowing. Things did turn serious for a while as Thomas relayed the information about Marcus’s trip to the camps and supply depot. Marcus filled in bits and pieces as Thomas told most of the story. As most were done asking questions on the new inform
ation, Marcus decided he’d bring up some of his own questions.

  “Do you suppose the government has been hiding all the money to fund this operation? I mean...everything was brand new. They have full staffing. Up to date technology. The government couldn’t afford to maintain its’ desired levels of military staffing for the last decade.”

  Thomas answered, “We think that the government had some role in the funding, but only very little. From what we have gathered from our inside people, there is a separate group that is behind this. We think they provided most of the funding. We are nearly one hundred percent certain it is a group of very wealthy individuals who would like to attain the governing power for the country. Some in this group very well may be some of the politicians behind dissolving the government. It is all too secretive for our insiders to know anything more.”

  “The government really hasn’t been dissolved, has it?” Marcus asked. “The CMA is just a government corporation. The powers and responsibilities still lie with the government.”

  “Where are they then?” someone in the group asked.

  “Exactly,” Thomas said. “Where are they? What you say Marcus is technically true. However, it seems like all of the politicians have skipped town. There’s no word from them or from their staffers. There hasn’t been a peep out of the President. The rumor out of Washington is that the President skipped town too. They are all riding this out in places unknown. Maybe inside hidden underground bunkers.”

  “That or they are the ones behind the CMA,” another from the group said. “They either handed over the reins and bolted or they just changed titles and they are trying to take the people out of the American government and restructure as a totalitarian system. What is happening is the perfect way to do it.”

  Marcus would normally be right in step with this crowd and the conversation. His fears that were brought on hearing Thomas’s plan made him wonder if it was just conspiracy theory chatter. Yes, his predictions on what the government had been doing had come true, but now he wondered if it was the government’s fault. Were they right in their actions? Was it his inner fears of this fight growing? Was this his brain’s subconscious method of trying to snuff out the spark of shame? His mind raced through the timeline of events and his previous analysis of government policy. Did government intervention cause the decay of the American economy or was government intervention brought on by economic decay? Was it clearly black and white like that? Marcus knew he needed more time to sort through everything. He couldn’t make a decision tonight. Having had a few bourbons might make him feel more courageous or possibly irrational than if he were sober.

  The conversation slowly morphed away from business talk back to general party conversation as everyone’s second and third drinks were consumed. Marcus got a few of the Manhattan crew’s contact information before the night wound down. He thought it might be all for nothing if he was about to leave New York City for a tent city in some isolated location. Marcus looked around the room as the party calmed. Most were now seated, talking in smaller groups quietly. He thought it was surreal. This all seemed too normal. Normal for just a week ago. Now the country was like a puzzle that had been pulled apart and tossed in the air. Everyone was specks on the pieces wondering where they were all going to land.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Lea sat in an old vanity chair that she had turned away from the mirror to face the bed. The chair’s frame was made of a worn brass. The seat’s padding had been compressed too many times over the years to expand back to it’s intended shape. The chair paired with an old wooden vanity. The corners were worn down from years of use and being moved from location to location and perhaps people brushing against it. The mirror had a few nicks scattered around which made it look like missing pixels on an old computer screen. The set was most certainly an heirloom that had been passed for two or three generations. Juana lay in a deep sleep. Although her mother’s wound seemed to be closing up as best as it could only a few days after the incident, the toll of the experience had exhausted her. She was also taking some fairly powerful pain medications which amplified the exhaustion. The medication made her appear at peace while sleeping. It was a different story during her waking hours. Her face would hold a constant look of pain and agony.

  The doctor at the emergency center had held off on using antibiotics. She said in her opinion, they arrived quick enough for the staff to clean the wound hastily enough after the cut happened and apply a topical anti-bacterial ointment that it should be sufficient to prevent infection. The wound was stitched and wrapped in a clean bandage. The doctor didn’t like to give antibiotics for preemptive use. She had explained that decades ago antibiotics were prescribed in an almost careless manner which had resulted in many strains of antibiotic resistant bacteria. She further explained that rate of mortality for children and the elderly had skyrocketed for nearly a decade. Regardless, she said they should not hesitate to return for a prescription at any signs of infection.

  Lea had severely heightened levels of stress over the last few days after seeing the pool of blood outside the grocery store where her parent’s car had been parked. Her screams and tears that day were not just the fear of the unknown. They were the screams of a grieving daughter who lost her mother too early in life. Her mind had immediately gone to the worst. There was little Will could say or do to calm her down.

  Alejandro and Juana’s neighbor, Mike, had waited around for a few minutes for Lea to return before curiosity got the best of him. He wandered to the back of the parking lot to see the group that accompanied the large convoy of vehicles parked in the back. He kept his distance knowing what happened to Juana. He turned back to watch for Lea as often as he could. He could see the group stealing food from people as they returned to their cars from the store. They were also smashing car windows to get anything else they wanted. It was a scream from behind him that made him realize he hadn’t looked back in a minute or two. He saw Lea and another person standing by the spot Alejandro and Juana had sped off from. He bolted back across the lot towards them. He relayed the story of what happened and it helped to calm Lea down some. She was still worried knowing that her mother had been hurt.

  Now Lea sat watching her mother sleep in the spare bedroom at Beth and Will’s place while she drowned in her own anxiety. Her mother was beginning to develop signs of an infection. There was an expanding swelling and redness now visible beyond the bandage on her arm. She had a slightly elevated temperature. They called the doctor that morning to tell her the news and she said there was no need to bring Juana in, just to send someone for the prescription of antibiotics.

  Will and Lea’s father, Alejandro, had taken on the task. Their absence that morning paired with the news they had been hearing the last few days added to Lea’s anxiety. Every news report from every channel was filled with stories of violence and death. It seemed that a panic settled in over most people which led to widespread chaos. There were more and more scenes of raiding and looting in grocery store parking lots nationwide. Mobs of people ventured away from parking lots and started raiding homes. Much fighting and blood and death followed. Looters would be killed trying to enter homes and looters would kill to gain entry into homes. Fires were started in a mob’s blind rage and there was no one to put it out. Rescue crews were either too busy trying to keep up with the many emergencies or had left to take care of their own families. News reports estimated that hundreds of thousands of people had died in the short few days.

  Their power flickered throughout the days but remained mostly steady. No doubt due to all the fires. They were sure to affect the lines. Beth’s home had some alternatives to the standard grid. They had the option to be powered by wind and solar. It would be a great reduction in capacity if they needed to use it solely, but it would be better than nothing at all. Their phone service remained mostly non-existent. Occasionally, someone’s phone would pick up service for a few moments and a message would come through with a chime to notify them. By the time the
phone was picked up, the service would be gone. They kept their phones charged out of habit at this point.

  The moment Lea heard Will’s Jeep return, she popped up out of the chair. She tip-toed as quickly and as quietly as she could out of the room. The sound of that Jeep had given her a boost of energy and hope. She threw the front door open and nearly hit her father who was reaching for the door handle. She apologized and hugged him and then hugged Will more tightly than her father. Alejandro noticed and lowered an eyebrow at Will. He tried to hold the gaze but couldn't help but laugh.

  “That was quick,” Lea said trying to catch her breath from the sprint through the house. “There was no trouble getting the antibiotics? Does it look bad anywhere?”

  “Surprisingly, no,” Will answered. “We even stopped by the grocery store again to see if we could get anything else. Not much there right now. It’s a bit of a mess actually.”

  “It looks pretty much like the pictures you’d see in history class of the Soviet Union grocery stores,” Alejandro added. “It’s mostly empty shelves with a few things that no one wants scattered around. Picked clean.”

  “I went and talked to Mary and she told us that most food is now being diverted to those big camps that they talked about on the news,” Will said.

  Lea jumped in before Will could finish, “Are we going to have to go to one of those camps if we can’t get food? I don’t want to live in one of those.”

  “No way,” Will said with a chuckle. “I have no desire whatsoever to be in one of those. I imagine sickness is going to spread like a wildfire in there. Let alone, the whole thing being way too weird. It’s like we just had a coup in the government and now they want everyone to gather together at these fenced-in camps. Not for me,” Will shook his head back and forth and paused for a moment. “Anyways, Mary said the empty store was temporary. It was done to initially stock all of the camps and she said they are expecting a delivery up to a week from now. I think they said on the news that the camps are meant for people from big cities.”