Those Who Remain: A Postapocalyptic Novel (The New World Book 7)

by G. Michael Hopf

  He took a pregnant pause as he finally reached the names on the list of those who had died. He cleared his throat and continued, “My journey to this podium started on December 5, 2015, in San Diego, California. It was the end of one life and the beginning of another. A new world was given birth, a harsher world than any of us had ever seen. Even those of us who had seen battle before hadn’t had to experience what most of us have now seen. Together we fought madmen, dictators and tyrants. We conquered them but lost many along the way. For me I’ll never forget you. When the end came, I lost my friends Jimmy, Simone and their son, Mason. When we journeyed along the long road, our losses continued as I lost Sergeant Holloway, Derek and my beloved son, Hunter.” Gordon stopped there to fight tears from coming. His speech was becoming emotional for him. He again cleared his throat and went on, “When we tried to find a sanctuary, the losses mounted when Mack and Frank were taken. Just when I thought more couldn’t be taken from me after losing Hunter, my dear brother, Sebastian, was murdered, forcing us to cross a line of departure and go to war. Through the blood, sweat and tears of the war, I lost a good friend, Lance Corporal Jones. As we slid down the razor’s edge and our republic was teetering, I lost a piece of me that has since been found again. As we sit here in gratitude and optimism for our future, we must not forget those who we’ve lost. But as I finish, I want to impart this message for those who remain, go out and live your life to the fullest because life is for the living.”

  Gordon folded the paper and placed it back in his coat pocket. His eyes showed the intense emotion he was feeling.

  Cruz began to clap.

  The gathered crowd joined in and gave Gordon a standing ovation.

  Uncomfortable with the outpouring, Gordon waved and said, “Thank you. Now can we put pen to paper? I hear there’s cold Australian beer at the reception to follow.”

  Laughter broke out.

  Cruz stepped up to Gordon. The two shook hands and together walked to the table.

  Gordon took the pen, and just before signing, he called out to John, “Did you review this?”

  “Yes, no, hurry up and sign it before they change their minds,” John joked.

  Gordon placed the pen against the paper and took a mental snapshot of the moment then signed the treaty.

  It was complete, the Republic of Cascadia was official.

  Gordon’s journey from Marine to web designer to president was also complete. He looked out at the clapping crowd and wondered what else life had in store for him. He didn’t doubt there would be troubles ahead, but his confidence was buoyed by the success of Cascadia. He and the few who remained could get through anything if they worked together. He pulled himself away from the questions of what tomorrow could bring; he needed to be in the moment now. This was something he needed to enjoy and relish. Not often did one come from such humble beginnings to lead a new nation. Gordon was proud of what had been accomplished, but there was much work ahead to rebuild a tattered infrastructure and form a new government.

  Cruz came up to him and said, “Congratulations, I wish I could stay but duty calls.”

  “Troubles?”

  “It never ends.”

  “Anything I can do to help?” Gordon offered.

  “Just what you’re doing. Be a good and friendly neighbor. Stay in touch,” Cruz said before turning and walking away.

  “Hey, Cruz!” Gordon called out.

  Cruz stopped and turned around.

  “Stay frosty, my friend, stay frosty!”

  EPILOGUE

  October 21, 2066

  Olympia, Washington, Republic of Cascadia

  Hunter walked down the stairs to find Gordon and Autry chatting quietly at the dining table.

  Autry looked up, said something else to Gordon that only he could hear then turned to acknowledge Hunter. “Good mornin’. I hope you slept well.”

  “Good, thank you,” Hunter said, taking a seat next to Gordon.

  He and Gordon had stayed up until the early morning hours. Hunter didn’t let Gordon go to bed until he had finished telling the rest of how it all came to be minus what happened when he faked his death, which led to him living in seclusion.

  “I’ve got a ton of food. What do you want? You name it,” Autry offered cheerfully.

  “Just coffee for now,” Hunter replied.

  A servant immediately approached Hunter and poured him a steaming hot cup of coffee.

  “Thank you,” Hunter said to the servant.

  “Cream, sugar, whatever you need is on the table. If you want whiskey, I’ve got that too.” Autry laughed.

  “That sounds good,” Gordon quipped.

  “I’m good,” Hunter said, grabbing the cream and pouring in a splash.

  “Your grandfather here told me you’re an excellent young man,” Autry said.

  “Did he?” Hunter asked.

  “Yep, he’s got some big plans for you.”

  “Does he now?” Hunter questioned.

  Gordon nodded.

  Hunter leaned back in the chair curious about what the said plans were. “Okay, Grandad, tell me.”

  Gordon looked at Autry then back to Hunter. “After sleeping on it, I’ve decided to go ahead and help President Shiver by doing what he needs. President Shiver will get my tapes, my sworn testimony concerning Elizabeth Karen, and I’ll even speak at the fiftieth anniversary celebration.”

  “Wow, why the change of heart?” Hunter asked.

  “Besides taking out Coleman and his band of commies, I also have something else that I want to see happen and I struck a deal with the president,” Gordon said.

  Enthralled, Hunter leaned in closer to Gordon and asked, “And that was?”

  “That you are put on his ticket as vice president next year.”

  “Huh?” Hunter gasped.

  “Now I know it sounds like a lot, but this country needs a man of your demeanor.”

  “What? No, no.” Hunter said. He was having a difficult time finding the words.

  “Yes, you’re going to represent the Van Zandt family in the administration, and after Shiver terms out in four years, you’ll run for president.”

  Autry chuckled and said, “I do think you’ve given the boy a fright.”

  “No, Grandad, I can’t be vice president,” Hunter said.

  “Yes, you can and you will be, so just prepare yourself. Time to step up.”

  “The president didn’t quite like the idea at first then caved when I said I’d walk with the tapes and whatnot.”

  “It’s the whatnot I loved the most.” Autry laughed.

  “What did you do?” Hunter asked.

  “Over the years, I gathered a bit of info on everyone. You never know when you might need it. All information, specifically deeply personal stuff, is valuable and can be used when you need something,” Gordon revealed.

  “You blackmailed him?” Hunter gasped.

  “I wouldn’t call it that. I call it negotiation,” Gordon replied.

  “Oh, my God, you sound like Elizabeth Karen,” Hunter snapped.

  “I wouldn’t say that, although she was a worthy adversary,” Gordon said defensively.

  “How will I be able to look at the president knowing we blackmailed him,” Hunter lamented.

  “We didn’t blackmail anyone. He’s known I’ve known about a certain something for a long time, and when he wouldn’t allow me to get my way, I reminded him is all. Now stop fretting over the small stuff. You’re going to be vice president in a little over a year,” Gordon said as he patted Hunter on the back.

  “I just don’t know.” Hunter sighed, putting his head in his hands.

  “Now the poor boy is in shock. Listen, son, it’ll all be fine. Coming from experience, being president isn’t all that hard, and being vice president, well, they don’t do shit. Just listen, take notes, surround yourself with close friends, keep your enemies closer, and rest assured, you’ll be a fine vice president,” Autry said in a soothing tone.

  “Wha
t if I say no?” Hunter asked.

  “You can’t say no. It’s a term in my deal with the president. If you don’t join the team, there’s no deal,” Gordon answered.

  “Does Mom know?”

  “Yeah, I spoke with her earlier. I’ve been waiting for you to come down for a bit, but you decided to sleep in today,” Gordon said.

  “Why, what time is it?” Hunter asked.

  “A little after ten,” Autry replied.

  “That’s not too late,” Hunter said.

  “For me it is. I’ve been up since six thirty,” Gordon said.

  “Don’t you sleep? I said goodnight to you at three, I think,” Hunter said.

  “Sleep? Haven’t had a good night’s sleep in over fifty years. Plus I’ll get plenty of shut-eye when I’m dead.”

  “Well, gentlemen, I need to leave you. I’ve got some business to take care of. Gordon, I’ll let you know how it all goes,” Autry said as he stood up. He promptly left the room.

  Hunter was tempted to ask what ‘take care of’ meant but suddenly didn’t want to know. Gordon had sent him into a state of shock with the news of his future vice presidency.

  “Why me? Some of the things you said last night about me being weak or misguided would lead me to believe you don’t think I have the right temperament,” Hunter questioned.

  “You’re not like me, few are, but you have a good heart, you’re a strong and deliberate man. Yes, you’re a bit wet behind the ears on some things, but that takes seasoning. What you have in you that will make the difference is you don’t want the position and that you love Cascadia deeply. This tells me you’ll do what’s necessary to protect her when the time is right.”

  Hunter let what Gordon said marinate in his mind. The idea of him in such a position was terrifying, but he also was intrigued by it. He’d be lying if he said he never thought about it, but he never imagined it could happen.

  “You look a bit shell-shocked,” Gordon said.

  “Well, yeah, of course I am,” Hunter acknowledged.

  “Good, and now that you’re a bit numb, I’ll drop another bomb on you.”

  “Do I really want to hear this?” Hunter complained.

  “After the ceremony tomorrow, I’m leaving.”

  “I thought you might, I’m sure being here is overwhelming.”

  “Not McCall, I’m going somewhere else, far away.”

  Hunter furrowed his brow and a look of concern spanned his face. “Where?”

  “I can’t say. In fact, I won’t tell you because you’ll stop me. But there’s a very good chance I won’t be coming back,” Gordon said, dropping the real bomb of truth on Hunter.

  “What? After everything you’ve just told me. After just meeting you. I just found out you were alive and now you’re leaving again and not coming back?”

  “There’s something I got to do.”

  “It has to do with that letter you received yesterday when we were getting off the plane.”

  “Yes.”

  “Where, where are you going?”

  “Far away. There’s someone I’ve been needing to see and they’ve done a great job of hiding up until recently.”

  “Who?”

  “None of that matters. I just need you to promise me you’ll lead this family and this country with honor, dignity and a steady hand.”

  “Tell me,” Hunter snapped.

  “No, it’s none of your business.”

  “Of course it’s my business. You lay all this shit on me then get up and leave, saying you’ll not come back. I’ll need you, I’ll need your steady hand to help me,” Hunter urged.

  “You’ll be fine. I’ve imparted enough and I can tell you listen.”

  “How dare you do this to me, to Mom and Sebastian,” Hunter snapped.

  Gordon looked down, sighed and confessed, “I’m dying.”

  “Huh?”

  “I have cancer. It’s spread; I won’t be around much longer anyway. There’s one more thing I’ve got to do and it’s far away from here. I made a promise many years ago, and I intend on keeping that promise.”

  “Does Mom know any of this?” Hunter asked.

  “No.”

  “Do you plan on telling her?”

  “No.”

  Hunter sighed loudly.

  “She’ll be sad, but tell her I had to go pay a debt.”

  Hunter stood up and pushed the chair forcibly out of the way.

  “Don’t be mad,” Gordon said.

  “How can I not be? This is typical Gordon Van Zandt. You up and take off. You did it to Grandma, Mom, your friends and even your country when you faked your death.”

  “About that. I did that because I was done. After what happened with Elizabeth Karen, I became a target of sorts.”

  “Oh, come on, you’d never shirk from taking people like them on. So tell me, what was the real reason you checked out on the entire nation?” Hunter blasted.

  “I was tired. All I wanted to do was be with Samantha. I just wanted to run away from it all and the only way I’d get peace was to make people think I was dead. It was simple, sort of. There’s a lot of logistics that go into faking one’s death, but I don’t regret it one bit for the most part. I got to give your grandma my undivided attention and I was finally there to play with Haley when she needed me. Unfortunately, Luke had already left the house by the time that happened, so I didn’t get to see him much and then he went to Asia and never came back.”

  “I see he became a true-blue Van Zandt,” Hunter barked.

  “Alright now, take it easy. You’re getting all worked up, and when you start getting nasty, it’s time to dial it back a bit. Luke is just living his life. He traveled around the world when he left and found Asia agreeable to him, nothing more. You know the rest. He found a wonderful wife and settled down. I’m deeply proud of him. He became a wonderful man, husband and father. There’s not more I could have wanted for him.”

  “I’ll do what you ask, I’ll become vice president, I’ll keep your secrets, and I’ll take care of the family, but don’t ask me right now not to be pissed off,” Hunter grumbled.

  “Fair enough,” Gordon said and stood up to face Hunter. He could see the intense emotion brewing behind Hunter’s eyes.

  “You’re an asshole, you know that?” Hunter said but with a much softer tone.

  “I know I am, believe me. Now give your old grandad a hug,” Gordon said opening his arms.

  Hunter hugged Gordon.

  “I’m proud of you,” Gordon said.

  Hunter let go, turned and left the room without saying another word.

  OCTOBER 22, 2066

  Olympia, Washington, Republic of Cascadia

  Gordon waved to the massive crowd surrounding the capitol steps. It did feel good to address the people of his beloved republic. As was typical in the modern age, protestors, young kids who aligned with Coleman and his People’s Party, had shown up to disrupt the gathering, but the gallant work of the Olympian Police Force kept them at bay and eventually dispersed them.

  Gordon didn’t let the few whiners stop him from giving a roaring speech and he wasn’t about to let them upset what was a glorious day for him and the republic.

  Gordon sat down.

  Haley put her hand on his and said, “Good speech, I still have goose bumps.”

  “Glad you liked it.” Gordon gave Hunter a look but he was still angry and didn’t return the gaze.

  Shiver stepped to the podium.

  The crowd roared their approval.

  Gordon felt a tap on his shoulder. He looked back to find John.

  John leaned in and whispered, “It’s done.”

  “Good, long live the republic.”

  “Long live the republic,” John echoed and melted back into the sea of dignitaries and VIPs.

  Haley gave Gordon a look and asked, “Is everything alright?”

  “It couldn’t be better.”

  ***

  The gala that followed the public add
resses commemorating the fiftieth anniversary was the perfect venue for Gordon to slip away unnoticed.

  The first hour he decided to suffer through the endless handshakes and back patting from the who’s who of Cascadian politics, after that he was ready to go.

  John came up and said, “Your car is ready.”

  Gordon stepped away from a small gaggle of people and walked with John to a service elevator.

  “I’ve made all the arrangements. I’ve left a box on the plane for you,” John instructed.

  “You and leaving boxes,” Gordon joked.

  “You’re set. You won’t need anything, and if you do, there’s a phone—just press and hold the number three. Tell that person what you need.”

  “Perfect as always,” Gordon said. They reached the elevator and Gordon hit the button. “This is where I leave you, my old friend.”

  “Are you sure?” John asked.

  “Yeah, I got it from here. Take care and watch over Haley and the boys.”

  “Of course.”

  “You’ve been an amazing friend. I’ve cherished our time and the years together. Take care and stay frosty,” Gordon said then stepped on the elevator.

  As the elevator doors closed, the last thing Gordon saw was John waving.

  When the doors opened, Gordon headed down a darkened hall to a service entrance. He pushed the heavy door open to find a black SUV. He raced down the concrete steps as fast as his old legs could take him and jumped in. After he closed the door, he looked up to see Hunter looking down from a large window.

  “Hold on,” Gordon ordered the driver. He lowered his window so Hunter could see him.