by Bobby Akart
Barely coherent, she was led into her bedroom, where she reached out into the empty space, trying to find her husband. Then she touched her clothing and looked at her bloody hands. She frantically patted her chest and stomach, wondering if she had been shot too.
Eventually, she returned to reality, and after some prodding, she finally agreed to remove her blood-soaked clothing and put on a loose-fitting flannel gown. She plopped into a chair in the corner of their dark, empty bedroom.
Since their arrival in Texas, her husband had frequently been gone, tending to the business of the new nation. When he was home, he slept in another room, as had become the case over their last several years in Washington. Mrs. Gregg stared at their bed as a wave of sadness came over her once again. They’d drifted apart in recent years, but now she missed him more than ever.
“My medicine, please,” she said as mental shock began to overtake her. She pointed toward the bathroom, and the security agent retrieved a small tray of medications. “Ketalar, please.”
Ketalar had been given to her at Raven Rock when she was experiencing bouts of depression and panic attacks. It was a fast-acting antidepressant also used in conjunction with anesthesia. Oftentimes compared to a tranquilizing hallucinogenic like LSD, Ketalar was abused by some as a recreational drug.
She’d hidden the medication from Monty because he considered the need for an antidepressant drug to be a sign of weakness. Yet he completely understood when his troops suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and combat fatigue.
The use of the medication had been symbolic of the turn their marriage had taken, in which Montgomery Gregg treated his soldiers one way and his wife another. But despite his shortcomings, his lack of attentiveness, and oftentimes gruff attitude, she’d loved him.
And now Montgomery Gregg—decorated war veteran, four-star general, and the first person in history to hold cabinet-level positions in both the United States and a foreign country—was dead.
Chapter 7
January 16
The Armstrong Ranch
Borden County, Texas
“Are you kiddin’ me?” shouted Palmer from the front porch of the ranch house. She bounded down the stairs and sprinted toward the happy couple. Sook turned toward her new sister and immediately beamed. Her smile said it all. “Did you really? You popped the question!”
Sook ran to Palmer with her left hand in the air to show off her engagement ring. The two women hugged one another just as Miss Lucy emerged from the house, wiping her hands on her apron before pulling it over her head to hang it over the railing. She paused to shout to the guys inside.
“Major! Boys! I think your brother has some news!”
Within seconds the entire Armstrong family stood in front of the house, congratulating Sook and Duncan. Tears of joy covered their faces as a rare moment of celebration washed over them. After a few more minutes of hugs and handshakes, Duncan explained about the phone call Espy had received.
“Y’all, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go. Duty calls.”
Major moved closer to Duncan and put his hand on his shoulder. “What’s happened, son?”
“Espy got a call a few moments ago from Camp Lubbock. The border checkpoint near Hobbs has been attacked. We’ve also been told the fences to the north and south have been breached.”
“Attacked by who?” asked Riley, who was not surprisingly still teared up from the emotional moment.
“I don’t know yet,” replied Duncan, although he had his suspicions. He patted his father on the hand and walked toward Sook. “I’m so sorry that I have to leave like this.”
Another tear rolled down her cheek, but she nodded. “I know. I will see you later.”
“I promise, Sook. Do you have a saying in Korean that means good luck?”
Sook wiped off her tears and smiled as she stood a little taller. Proudly, she responded, “I am a Texan now. I say saddle up, cowboy!”
The group burst out in laughter, and everyone gave Sook a family bear hug that caught her off guard somewhat. Duncan saw the startled look on her face and raced in to the rescue.
“Hey, guys, don’t you squish my betrothed!”
After everyone gave him a last set of good-luck wishes, Riley retrieved Duncan’s rifle, and he joined Espy at the Humvee.
“I’ll drive,” said Duncan. “You’ve got some calls to make.”
Duncan gave his family a final wave and tore down the packed-dirt driveway with the military-grade Goodyear Wrangler tires kicking up dirt and rocks in the process.
After they hit the road and sped northward toward Lubbock, Duncan instructed Espy to make the call to the Texas Quick Reaction Force regional headquarters at Camp Lubbock to gain more information.
Corporal Esparza, the aide assigned to Duncan when he’d become commander of the TX-QRF for this part of West Texas and the Panhandle, had an innate ability to switch from casual acquaintance to mentally tough soldier. As Duncan’s aide-de-camp, he’d be a constant companion and protector. As a result, he had been introduced to the Armstrong family and was easily accepted within the group.
Espy’s training with the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was invaluable to Duncan. The 101st was known for its air assault operations coupled with special ops that gave it a reputation as the most potent and tactically mobile unit of the U.S. Army.
The TX-QRF was designed to fulfill its name—react. Capable of mobilizing on short notice, the teams under Duncan’s command would be called upon to address any situation that threatened Texans or the country’s critical infrastructure. Espy’s experience would be called upon as Duncan faced these challenges.
“Commander,” started Espy as he transitioned from new friend to corporal, “our unit is mobilized and awaiting orders.”
“What kind of support are we getting from Bliss and Hood?” asked Duncan.
“Fort Bliss is responding with reinforcements at the border fences,” he replied. “They’ll plug the holes and regain control of the refugees streaming into Texas. Logistics teams are on the way to effectuate repairs to the perimeter fencing while new National Guard units will replace those who were killed at the Hobbs checkpoint.”
“How many?”
“All of them, sir,” replied Espy. “I believe the detachment numbered twenty-two active-duty guardsmen and four civilian border patrol workers.
“This was supposedly done by refugees?” Duncan began to doubt the narrative.
“Yes, sir, although we will have the opportunity to interrogate some of the refugees. Fort Hood has been tasked with mopping up the ten thousand plus refugees who broke through the fence and scattered across the oil fields like cockroaches when the lights are turned on.”
Duncan thought for a moment and recalled his mission, which was to protect Texans and respond to crisis situations. “Okay, the first order of business is to cordon off Lubbock to prevent these refugees from entering the city. I think we have to consider them to be armed and dangerous.”
“All of them, sir?”
“Listen, I don’t have any directive from Austin or Fort Hood concerning our rules of engagement. You and I are both military men used to some competent authority delineating the when-where-how of a battle. The world has changed, at least for now, and I have to determine what constitutes civilized warfare.”
“Sir, what about unarmed refugees?”
“Naturally, we’ll be facing unarmed mobs whose level of hostility is unknown. If we take on hostile fire, then our personnel should shoot to kill. If our defensive positions are stormed by an out-of-control hostile crowd, then I have no problem using force to turn them back. Espy, we’re not operating in a law enforcement capacity or as the riot-control police. We’re soldiers defending our homeland. That necessarily requires the use of lethal force.”
They were riding in silence for the final stretch of highway into Lubbock when the phone rang. Espy took the call and listened intently to the information bei
ng relayed to him.
“It’s Fort Hood on the line,” he whispered as he cupped his hand over the satellite phone. “They’re interrogating refugees.”
Espy turned his attention back to the phone as Duncan pulled up to the front gate at Camp Lubbock. A line of vehicles was awaiting entry, and Duncan honked his horn out of frustration to get the attention of the guards.
“Okay, I’ll pass that along to Commander Armstrong,” said Espy as he signed off the call.
As the guard approached, Duncan looked over to his aide. “What?”
“Sir, there were reports of North Korean gunmen leading the assault. They were driving U.S. military transports and all-terrain vehicles.”
The guard tapped on his window, but Duncan ignored him.
“North Koreans? Confirmed?”
“Yessir.”
Duncan set his jaw and gritted his teeth. He rolled his window down, flashed his military ID, and barked at the soldier, “I’m Commander Armstrong. Get these vehicles out of my way, now!”
Chapter 8
January 16
The Mansion
Austin, Texas
Montgomery Gregg would not necessarily have been President Burnett’s first choice as vice president of Texas, but circumstances had dictated a marriage of convenience. For years, when she was a rising star in Texas political circles, she’d quietly floated the idea of secession to like-minded thinkers both within and without political circles in Austin. As the concept gained traction after the U.S. presidential election of 2008 and the near economic collapse in the latter part of that year, she began to incorporate the rally cry Texas strong, Texas free into her political campaign rhetoric.
As the mainstream media began to recognize her status as an up-and-comer within the Republican Party in Texas, they showed their fangs and set about to tear her down. The politics of personal destruction was a favorite tool of all political persuasions, and generally speaking, the public accepted the rhetoric as part of the game.
But the media’s use of destroying politician’s careers was problematic in many respects. For one, the mainstream media was decidedly liberal with very few exceptions. Accordingly, the target of their ire was typically conservative politicians and causes. President Burnett had gotten the full brunt of this when she ran for governor the first time.
As attendees began to chant Texas strong, Texas free at her rallies, the media began to imply racism and xenophobia from her words. She had to combat the onslaught of fake news with counterattacks against the media and Washington in general. Her tactic struck a nerve with Texans, and her popularity exploded.
There was one group with whom she hadn’t garnered favor—the United States military. Patriotic by nature, and bound to the United States Constitution by oath, the hundreds of thousands of military personnel stationed in Texas were a forgotten aspect of President Burnett’s grand plan of seceding from the U.S. at some point.
The formation of a new country involved a lot of moving parts, most of which went beyond the political machinations required to accomplish the purpose. The logistics of establishing a new form of governance, law enforcement, and providing for the country’s citizenry in a time of crisis was complex.
Just as the realities of dealing with the impressive military forces stationed on Texas soil had hit President Burnett, Montgomery Gregg arrived on the scene to save the day. Most of the commanders at Fort Bliss and Fort Bragg were elevated in rank thanks to Gregg. They were good soldiers and loyal to him.
When it came time to secure their allegiance to the new Texas Constitution, President Burnett took comfort in knowing Gregg could make that happen.
Every president has their levels of expertise. In U.S. politics, it used to be an unspoken requirement that the president have some type of military background to effectively act as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Over time, especially following the Vietnam War, a military background could be seen as an impediment to the job.
When President Burnett’s chief of staff had entered her office several minutes ago to inform her of Gregg’s death, she became physically ill. She needed Monty Gregg, as he was the glue that held together the fragile relationship between her young administration and the Texas military, which had been secured through negotiations with Washington. If she lost the support of the military, she’d likely lose Texas.
A firm rapping at the door brought the president out of her melancholy state of mind. It was time for her to cowboy up, as they say.
“Come in.”
Adjutant General Deur entered her office. “Madam President, with all due respect, we need to have a very frank discussion about the circumstances we’re facing.”
“Sit down, Kregg,” she said and motioned toward a chair. While she appreciated Deur’s dedication to looking after her self-interests, the drama wasn’t helping her process the events of that morning.
“Madam President, I’ll be succinct in my concerns,” said Deur. “First, we’ve had a major breach at our West Texas border, orchestrated by gunmen armed with fully automatic weapons, resulting in nearly twenty thousand people infiltrating our country. Second, not only were some of the refugees armed, but it appears from our intelligence gathering they were assisted by North Koreans. These are possibly trained soldiers based upon their successes against our military personnel. We suffered all of the casualties. There were none on their side except unarmed, innocent civilian bystanders.
“Third, said North Koreans entered driving relatively new U.S. military vehicles. I’m not talking about the government-surplus trucks people used to buy online at IronPlanet.com. These vehicles, as described by the detainees, appear to be used by our—I mean current U.S. military forces.
“Fourth, it’s apparent the Hobbs checkpoint was attacked from our side of the fence too. Under interrogation, captured Americans recalled the shooting taking place from the Texas side of the border, followed by a military convoy entering and attacking from New Mexico. This is a clear indication of a coordinated assault, which requires advanced communications, command and control, and most importantly, a plan.
“Finally, within an hour of the breach, our vice president, a military general, was killed by a single sniper bullet, which, according to our people, must’ve traveled at least a mile before hitting him in the center of the chest. This was not some whack-a-do with a hunting rifle, ma’am. This shot could only be achieved by a highly trained marksman.”
Deur, who’d been nervously speaking very fast, took a deep breath before stating his assessment. “Madam President, this simply cannot be coincidental, and I believe you are in grave danger.”
President Burnett contemplated her adjutant general’s words. All of these facts were known to her, but this was the first time she’d put them together as part of a cohesive set of events. Foremost on her mind was securing the border.
“Kregg, I need your honest opinion now,” she began. “What is your take on the reaction of the commanders you’ve come into contact with at Fort Bliss and Fort Hood?”
“Positive and without reservation, ma’am,” he replied. “To a man, they expressed sadness over the loss of Vice President Gregg, but they are soldiers and seem committed to doing their duty to protect Texas.”
“I want to meet with the top brass of each military base as soon as possible. Let’s allow sufficient time for the border fencing to be mended and control reestablished.”
“Madam President, are you suggesting a meeting with all of them at once, here in Austin?”
“Yes, why wouldn’t we?”
“Ma’am, we’ve not established a continuity-of-government plan for Texas. The prospect of our nation coming under attack hasn’t been at the forefront of our transition meetings. If we are at war, or under attack, a plan needs to be established in case … you know …” Deur’s voice trailed off before he said the words—in case you’re killed.
President Burnett got the point and realized here was yet another detail of forming a new countr
y that needed to be addressed. She nodded her acknowledgment and began to give him direction. “Point taken, Kregg. Let me think about this, and I also have to name a new vice president. As soon as we’re done here, I’ll bring in the attorney general to discuss my options.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The president continued as Deur began to take notes. “We need to assign additional military resources to our main checkpoints, and until further notice, we will not process any new applicants attempting to return to Texas. I’m sorry for displaced Texans who are still beyond our borders, but in light of the circumstances, we need to hunker down.
“The North Korean aspect of the breach troubles me. I was warned of this possibility but, quite frankly, didn’t see it coming to fruition. Now that it has, I’m beginning to question who orchestrated this attack. We have people within Texas working against us. They assisted in the assault on the Hobbs checkpoint, and obviously someone within the state assassinated Monty.
“I agree with you regarding coincidences. We need to find out who is behind this and flush them out of the darkness.”
Deur interrupted with a series of questions. “Who can we trust? What if there is someone within our military apparatus still loyal to Washington?”
“Valid questions, Kregg. But they’re questions I don’t have answers to. This is why I need to shut down our borders and then meet with all the military. I may not be a soldier, but I can sure as heck look someone in the eyes and tell if they’re lying.”
Deur nodded his agreement and finished his notes after the president issued a few more minor orders. “Anything else, ma’am?”
President Burnett shrugged. “I don’t think so at this time. I need to contemplate the who and why. Then, I need someone, an outsider, whom I can trust wholeheartedly to get to the bottom of Monty’s death and help us make sense of it all.”