by Jordan Ervin
“Sarah!”
Sarah wept, aware of the sounds of men rushing about while the rumble of the battle beyond grew still.
“Sarah….”
A faint cry—a subtle whisper on the wind. Sarah’s eyes shot open, searching for the voice.
“Eric,” she muttered, waiting for the voice to return or silence to prove her insanity.
“Sarah!”
Louder this time, on the other side of the burning oak. Hope began to swell within her as she ran toward the voice.
“Eric!”
“Eric….”
Adam knew that voice. A newfound vigor surged inside him as he lumbered toward the fiery tree. He saw Sarah’s outline behind the flames of the downed tree. Adam set Eric down, his hands and face trembling as she rounded the oak. He rose to his feet and Sarah turned the corner.
Their eyes met and Sarah gasped, nearly falling back in complete and total shock. Adam stepped forward, tears streaming down his face as he approached her, stopping just shy of arms reach to soak in her beauty.
“Adam?” she mumbled, taking a step closer. “How…what….”
Adam paused, unsure of what to say. He had dreamt of reuniting with his family once his eyes closed to this world. He had believed Sarah dead, one of the countless victims in a war he had failed to prevent. He had spent the past months on the road, struggling for survival as he searched for a new home and hope. Now, as Adam Reinhart stood upon a victorious battleground next to the wife he had assumed dead, words seemed unbefitting for the miracle that simply was.
Adam stepped forward and embraced Sarah.
Chapter Twenty-three
The Saints Within
Gene Smith quietly listened to the others ramble on, though his attention was drawn again to the far corner of the room. He smiled, his eyes and heart fixated on the flag that hung idly from a wooden pole. The red and white twisted and curved as they stretched downward, stopping six inches above the tiled floor. His gaze shifted upward, climbing the stripes to the rectangular blue sea inundated with a fleet of stars. Despite all Gene had suffered to reach the Republic of Texas, he knew he was finally home—among those brave souls who were willing to fight for the future of a resurrected dream.
“All I am saying is that you don’t need to be here yet.” Adam was leaning forward, facing Nadia as his words pulled Gene’s attention back to the table. “I don’t want you to feel obligated to—”
“Tyler and I governed Fort Harding long before you arrived,” Nadia replied, a hint of bitterness on her voice. “I fully stand by our decision earlier and look forward to seeing how the world reacts to your coming speech, but that does not mean I am ready to stand by silently and let grief overwhelm me.”
“And you’re sure you don’t need some time?” Adam asked.
“To wallow in sorrow would be to accept defeat, and I…I can’t….” Nadia’s eyes slowly fell, staring ahead absently. Eventually, she took a deep breath and continued. “Mr. Reinhart, I’d die if I didn’t fill my hours with something.”
Adam paused, slowly nodding his head. “Alright. And Nadia, none of this is me wanting to push you aside. Your words will always be heeded and you are more than welcomed to be involved as much as you feel comfortable.”
“And don’t be afraid to thrum his skull if he’s out of line after today,” Jack cut in with a grin.
“Well I hope no one will be thrumming my skull again anytime soon,” Adam replied, shaking his head with a chuckle. “You’re all more than welcome to speak your minds freely whenever you want. I want to make that clear from the get-go.”
“Then I reckon I’ll be the first to take you up on that offer.” Gene removed his cowboy hat, brushing his hands through his hair. “We might have a few problems with our friends to the south.”
“You mean Texas?” Alan asked. “What did they do?”
“It’s not them. Apparently, we’re the problem. I got word back from one of my contacts inside the Lone Star Nation. To summarize what was a lot of jargon, the higher-ups are not too fond about my actions eight days ago.”
“What do you mean?” Adam asked.
Gene took a deep breath, placing the cowboy hat back on his head. Texas posed a threat, but they weren’t the problem. The real problem—the one sitting at their doorstep—needed to be addressed immediately. However, Gene knew what needed to be done was something that was going to ruffle a lot of bright feathers and he’d need to quietly inspire them to come to his conclusions, especially if he were going to grow their numbers by thousands in one day.
“I’d been prayin’ the lack of communication with Texas over the past week might have been a good sign, hoping they’d let bygones be bygones. Sadly, it appears there will be little forgiveness on their part regarding my actions on the day of the battle.”
“But you saved us,” Adam said. “You saved thousands from annihilation.”
“And I’m damn proud of it,” Gene replied. “But they most certainly don’t see things the same way.”
“How do you think they see it?” Nadia asked.
“They see me as a rogue general who commandeered a sizable portion of their air force to run his own emotionally-driven mission just as they were assaulting Little Rock.”
“But you didn’t lose any planes or helicopters,” Adam replied. “They used drones and smart-bombs to soften the city up. They took Little Rock with hardly any casualties. What’s the big deal?”
“Oh, they lost one hundred and twelve men taking North Little Rock when there was barely anything left to take,” Gene replied. “Nothing compared to the Patriarch’s losses, but still not something any general demanding answers can’t ignore. On top of that, the bigger deal is that they wanted Fort Harding months ago. They tried to annex it and you all refused.”
“You think we should have given in?” Nadia asked, nodding over to the flag in the corner. “You think we should have burned that flag over there and joined the mighty Republic of Texas?”
“Hell, no. And I want to be clear that I’m damn proud that you held out, but you did refuse them and made no qualms about your disdain for their repeated requests. The way they see it, once it came down to gritty, Fort Harding wouldn’t have survived without a stolen Texan air force.”
“But we didn’t choose to—”
“I know,” Gene cut in. “All I’m saying is they’re not happy with me for what I had done and they’re not happy with the leaders here at Fort Harding for your lack of cooperation. After Adam’s speech later today…well, I’m not so sure they’ll remain quiet much longer.”
“We’re not backing down.” Adam looked around the table defiantly, the determination on his face daring anyone to suggest otherwise. “No amount of intimidation is going to prevent me from telling the world what it needs to hear. I don’t care one way or another what Texas thinks after that.”
“Oh I doubt they’ll come looking to cause a fight outside of some bullshit political maneuvering,” Gene replied. “They’re not our enemies, but they’re not exactly our friends.”
“I say let them come,” Nadia replied angrily.
“No disrespect, but that is the last thing we want right now,” Gene replied, laughing lightly at what he knew was no laughing matter. “Try to imagine us turning back anything greater than a small pack of rabid outlaws. We can buck up all we want. But for now, we pack a punch not much greater than a small town’s parks and rec division.”
“A fact that needs to change fast,” Adam said.
“If there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that the days of lickin’ our wounds are over. Eight days since the battle…I think we’ve rested long enough. After today, we prepare. I know it won’t be easy getting back to hard work and harder training after all everyone has been through, but I can promise you I’ll do everything I can to ensure we’re ready to stand tall against anyone, Texas included. And with all due respect, I’m going to make damn sure that we’re throwing more than a few makeshift walls in thei
r way the next time someone comes battering down our gates.”
“Whatever you need, I promise you, it’s yours,” Adam replied. “There’s no way this war is over and without additional soldiers, we’re simply bidding time till the next battle.”
“If that’s the case.” Gene leaned forward, ready to jump on Adam’s pledge, inwardly amused at the fact that Adam was already suggesting what Gene wanted without even knowing he’d been manipulated.
So this is what it’s like to be a politician.
“The big problem is that we’re all thinking about tomorrow when we have a greater issue on our hands today.”
“Which is what?” Jack asked.
“The survivors,” Gene said.
“You mean the prisoners?” Nadia replied, her eyes narrowing in anger. “Mr. Smith, they won’t be our problem for long.”
“Is that right?” Gene replied. “Who is feeding them right now?”
“We are,” Adam replied.
“And who has to determine their immediate future?”
Adam nodded his head slowly. “Gene, I see what you’re saying. We’ve all been through a lot and I think a little time to breathe will go a long way for all of us. Until we can—”
“Like you said, we’re just bidding time till the next great push. I know you didn’t want this role but you didn’t hesitate to take it on when we asked it of you. I’m sorry, but we can’t ignore those folks any longer. Last I heard, have two thousand nine hundred and nineteen scared and injured survivors—or prisoners if you prefer. They had fought against us by no decision of their own, lost that battle because a few miracles decided to collide at the same time, and they are now all awaiting our next move.”
“And the sooner they’re dead and gone, the better,” Nadia replied coldly.
“She might be right,” Alan said. “God knows I hate saying it, but that might very well be what we have to do to protect ourselves.”
“Alan, I’ve know you for a long time,” Jack began. “Hearing you encourage mass murder was never something I thought I’d see in you.”
“Jack, you saw them. They were mindless savages.”
“And I was almost one of them!”
“But you’re not one of them,” Alan replied. “I’m not saying we should kill them; I’m simply saying no solution should be off the table. We don’t know if that drug can be reactivated and we honestly might be doing them a favor to end it now.”
“The world is going to scrutinize us all after today’s announcement,” Adam said, his gaze shifting between all those at the table. “Every one of you know it’s true. I can’t imagine how they’d react if we start things off by killing three thousand prisoners.”
“That’s exactly my point,” Gene said. “I’m not going to stand against your decision of how to present us to the world, but you need to stand by the inherent virtues that come with such a bold proclamation. No need to be hypocrites, if you catch my drift. Besides, there is strength in numbers and strength is something we desperately need right now. So tell me, do you think there is anyone we might trust that could act as a liaison between our two groups?”
“None that I can think of,” Jack replied, and Adam nodded in agreement. “We could send for Edward and ask if he knows anyone.”
“Edward’s like a curious jack rabbit and we’re all holding out a wedge of cheese, asking him to come back. He might not mean to bite our hand and draw blood, but that doesn’t mean he won’t. I’m sorry Adam, but I still don’t trust that man.”
“And I don’t and will not trust one of those murderous bastards,” Nadia growled. “They’re mindless savages and nothing more! Maybe we can’t kill them, but that doesn’t mean we have to help them do anything but get the hell out of here.”
“I have to disagree with you, Nadia,” Jack said. “I never experienced the hellish nightmares they were subjected to, but I saw it. I can’t hate them. They’re no more responsible for what happened at Fort Harding than you are.”
“No,” Nadia said, shaking her head. “They are responsible. I respect you and everything you have done, but Tyler…my husband would be here with us today if they hadn’t attacked.”
Gene and everyone else quieted, not willing to yield to the silence that followed the memory of Tyler. Tyler had died from his wounds after the battle, his death fueling Nadia’s disdain for those they had taken prisoner. Gene suspected even she knew her hatred was wrong, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t out of place.
Jack was the first to brave the silence.
“Nadia, I’m sorry, but they’re people too.”
“They’re animals!” Nadia shouted, the crack of her hand against the tabletop causing everyone to jump. “And we have no idea when they might turn rabid again!”
“Listen, if the rumors are to be believed, then this war is now nuclear,” Gene said. “With New Orleans and the Patriarch’s stronghold destroyed, they might very well have lost the ability to activate that drug. That would explain the lack of a single reactivation over the past eight days. We’ve already removed more than a few of those tracking devices from behind their ears and have seen no adverse effects. There’s no perceivable reason to believe they are still animals, as you say.”
“And none of what you say means they won’t turn on us,” Nadia argued. “In case you have forgotten, we didn’t exactly welcome them with open arms when they attacked. Those who are mangled are that way because of our bombs. The men and women who died attacking this place lost their lives at the hands of our soldiers. How can you be so sure those who survived won’t seek revenge?”
“And how can you be so sure they won’t—”
“How much time until the broadcast?” Adam interjected, quickly standing.
They all paused, glancing over his way. Gene stared at him too, not realizing he had been on the verge of shouting at Nadia.
“About an hour and a half,” Jack said.
“Good,” Adam said, “then we’ve all got just enough time to take a walk.”
“And might I ask what’s more important that talking this through?” Gene inquired.
“We’re sitting here trying to decide the fate of nearly three thousand people,” Adam said, his eyes moving back and forth between everyone. “A fate that might end with them all executed, set free to wander this fragmented land before likely fall back into debauchery, or perhaps…perhaps their journey doesn’t end badly. Perhaps we show the world the power of forgiveness. After all, I’d be willing to bet that not one of us here hasn’t done something over the past few months that we won’t have to pay for one day. All I am saying is that I think we owe it to ourselves to do more than talk it through without hearing what they have to say. Maybe there is someone among them who can help us make the right decision.”
Gene hesitated before nodding his head in approval. It wasn’t the declaration he’d hoped for, but it would do. The others didn’t wait long until they, too, agreed.
“Alright,” Gene began, standing up and straightening his hat. For once, he was finally happy to see Adam take the lead. “We’ll follow you.”
Eric Corsa studied his black medallion absentmindedly, rubbing his thumb across its smooth surface as he daydreamed about Sarah—the woman he loved.
The woman he had lost to the man he had thought dead.
He smiled as he thought back to the night Sarah had given him the round pendant. It had been the first moment he had felt something for her, other than an obligation of protection. In the beginning, he had gone about his duty and held his growing feelings for Sarah at bay out of respect for the memory of his fallen friend. Now, at the end of a dangerous road and the beginning of an uncertain future, Eric couldn’t help but wonder if the inner struggle to face the consequences of his actions would overshadow the battles that lay behind him.
A knock at the door brought his attention back to the present.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and in walked Sarah. Eric lowered the medallion and slow
ly sat up with surprise, smiling as she entered. She paused once inside the room, an uncertain smile touching her lips, before turning to close the door behind her.
“I was just thinking about you,” Eric said.
Sarah continued to beam, though the only other acknowledgment she gave was a slight nod of her head.
“I was beginning to wonder if you’d forgotten about me,” Eric said.
“You know that’s not true.” Sarah walked over, stopping just short of the bedside—just out of reach. She gazed down at him, the struggle to contain her emotions clear and unhidden on her face. Tears slowly beaded in her eyes and she glanced behind her, grabbing an old chair and pulling it up next to his bed. “How do you feel?”
“Alright,” he lied. The reality was that Eric now lived in constant pain—both physical and emotional. The concussion from the blast that destroyed the gate had given him a throbbing headache that had taken days to dissolve into a dull numbness. It had been one more injury to compound upon months of hunger, hard travel, and stress. Despite being a battle-forged soldier, his body had finally succumbed to a desperate need for recuperation. Eric had slept the three days that followed the battle of Fort Harding, awakening only to have what he had thought to be feverish dreams confirmed.
Sarah and her children had survived, the final remnant of America had emerged victorious, Adam Reinhart lived, and Eric had never felt so lifeless inside.
“I guess the real question is how are you doing?” Eric asked.
Sarah stared back at him, smiling as the tear beading in her eyes finally broke free. She used her sleeve to wipe it from her cheek, taking a deep breath.
“I am a joyful, terrible, and confused mess of a woman,” Sarah replied.
“Don’t forget beautiful,” Eric said quickly. “How are those girls of yours?”
“They’re fine,” Sarah replied. “The Battle Choir has been gathering at least an hour every day for worship. If you think Grace and Eva were lively with their song and dance before, you should see them in front of a room of hundreds. They’re like fireworks; they were made to grab attention.”