Fortress Farm Trilogy: Volumes 1, 2 & 3 (Fortress Farm Series)

by G. R. Carter

  First Sheet was a reference to the old saying of “going to the mattresses.” That meant all members of the family stayed in the same place for security until conflicts were settled. The First Sheet command was very rare. ARK leaders were all respectable people in the community; with kids in school, Church and philanthropic commitments…First Sheet was a reminder to friends and neighbors where the Diamante family money originally came from. The move into the ARK headquarters emphasized how dangerous Tony guessed the situation might be.

  “Ok, everyone work your contacts today. Find out everything you can. Burn favors if you need to. I want everyone here in my office by 7 pm tonight. We’re going to hammer out a strategy to start implementing tomorrow. And I’m serious; I want all of you in your Renaissance Tower apartments right away. Send a car to pick up your families and your personal items. No excuses,” Tony demanded.

  “We’ll have a big family dinner tomorrow night to celebrate something. Make it seem as natural as possible. We’ll figure it out. I’ll see you in a little while.”

  Tony waited as the video screens went blank, and everyone but Uncle Jack left to begin their work.

  As the door closed, Tony stared at the man who served as his primary advisor since Tony’s own father had passed away. “This is the one, isn’t it, Uncle Jack? You said each head of the Family has one major test, and this is mine. I can feel it.”

  “I’m afraid so, son.” Uncle Jack was much more relaxed and informal when it was just he and Tony together. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it coming sooner. This took me a little by surprise. Maybe I’m losing my edge, eh?”

  Tony retrieved a glass of bourbon and a cigar for his uncle, and then sat in the dark, rich leather of the chair beside him. These chairs can’t even be reproduced now, Tony thought reflectively. I wonder why all the good stuff is illegal?

  He smiled at his mentor. “Nonsense. You’re still the best. What is your gut telling you we should do?”

  Uncle Jack stared at his cigar, then answered: “This is going to sound strange, but I was talking to one of new people in the Networking department the other day at lunch. One that we recruited from out in the Valley...an absolute beauty, by the way. HR had an orientation lunch and I went down there to say a few words of welcome. So I asked her why she moved here to the Midwest instead of staying out there where all this Network stuff was being created. Anyway, she told me all about these Continuity people, and about how fanatical they are. Made her really uncomfortable.”

  “Did she have family here locally?” Tony asked, curious about where his uncle was heading with the thought.

  “No, that’s just it. She said she refused to do these Progression things. Her bosses insisted they all do it. She’s a religious person, and she felt that Continuity was another faith that she couldn’t sign on to. So she decided to move somewhere more open to conservative religions. She read about you in some business journal. How you were modernizing the government contract business. She decided to give St. Louis a try. When she got to the Welcome Center here, she mentioned ARK and they sent her to our people,” Uncle Jack concluded.

  “Okay, Uncle Jack,” he said, anxious return to more pressing matters. “Where are we going with this?”

  “If the Continuity people demand complete compliance, and M&C and Interior are both in bed with them, they won’t let up until we either sign on or they destroy us. The weaker houses here in town will fall in line because they won’t fight Interior, they can’t afford to lose any government cheese. Pretty soon they’ll wear us out.”

  Tony thought about ARK fighting battles against each law firm in the city – legal or otherwise. And the Department of the Interior held the strings on each contract they awarded.

  What a day! This morning on top of the world, this afternoon trapped.

  “Here’s what you have to do, Tony. You have to spend some of that war chest you’ve been saving. As CEO, you’ve made the family and our partners very wealthy. Best financial results in the history of the firm. Now everyone has to understand we’ve got to invest some back…for our future. I’ll help you with that, right?” the old man said rhetorically.

  He continued: “Tony, how do these Valley people operate? Same as the Interior and all of DC do. Through this GRAPEVINE Network. Consider how much power rests in that one name, GRAPEVINE. I’m no Luddite, you know that. But whenever one group can control everyone else with just a name, that’s trouble. The Greeks, the Romans, the English, even America… all power could be summed up in a single name. Today that name is GRAPEVINE,” he said, taking another puff of his cigar and a sip of his drink. “Think about it, you can’t even go buy food in this city without those electronic Wristbands. No cash accepted anywhere except our Supper Clubs and Antique Stores. Every transaction tracked and logged in a database. A database controlled by GRAPEVINE. Now that’s power!”

  “You’re not suggesting we sign on with them, are you?” Tony asked with shock.

  “Not a chance. Your father and I went through something similar with the LBJ Great Society, and our father with FDR and the New Deal. More recently the stimulus bills and the zero interest policies from the Federal Reserve gave us the open road to unlimited debt. Each misguided government program led us to here, one step at a time. Unlimited government money makes people crazy, thinking they have all the answers when they don’t even understand the questions,” he said, shaking his head.

  “But I will admit, Tony, this feels a little different to me. In the past, folks like us could meet and plan in secret. Send messages to one another. Hide out on a different continent if we needed to. Go underground, so to speak. This GRAPEVINE knows where you’re at all the time. What you’re doing and who you’re doing it with. Somehow, you’ve got to get our firm, and our Family, out of the line of sight of these Interior people. At least until the big collapse comes and then we’ll be able to do business again.”

  “So you think this will come to an end, too?” Tony asked.

  “It always does, son. These things can’t run white-hot forever. The rocket always comes back to earth. What I’m afraid of is this time instead of landing with a thud, it will be a kaboom,” he said as he made the explosion gesture with his hands and opened his eyes wide.

  “We’ve still got friends in DC; I’ll call them now. One of our Congressmen served with Speaker Reed in the Marines. I’ll see if he can get us some grace with Interior. Tell them we’re willing to play ball.” Uncle Jack nodded and stood up, stubbing out the cigar but keeping the drink. “Until we get a plan put together, at least.”

  “Hey Uncle Jack, one more favor. Figure out who that lady in Networking was that you were talking to the other day. Tell her to come to my office immediately. I’ve got a special project for her.”

  EXECUTIVE DINING ROOM

  ARK HEADQUARTERS

  “Mr. Diamante, can I ask you a question?”

  “Of course, Nicole. But please, call me Tony. I insist.”

  Nicole Kelley stared briefly at her salad, gathering courage to ask the most powerful man in the city a personal question. “If your family started this firm, why isn’t your last name on the building?”

  Tony laughed sincerely, and smiled at her. “Nicole, do you know how few people ever have the courage to ask that question, or would even think about that? I’m not just impressed by your Network knowledge; I’m impressed by your observation skills.”

  Nicole blushed slightly, a reaction highlighted by her blond hair and light skin. She wasn’t used to being complimented for anything but her looks, fueling a desire to prove herself worthy in the male-dominated field of technology. Many people, friends included, helpfully suggested that drive led to a bit of a prickly demeanor.

  Tony answered, still smiling as he put down his fork. “Our family was afraid that putting a name like Diamante on the business would be a bit too conspicuous. Since we weren’t exactly legitimate at the time, we didn’t want to attract too much attention,” he admitted surprising ease and honest
y.

  “I think my grandfather always regretted it, not being proud of the name. Could be why he and my dad started referring to the firm as ARK, even though they had to rearrange the acronym to get there,” Tony joked. “Government always fears those that try to live outside their bounds. We shouldn’t fear to try.”

  “I understand. My brother and I don’t spend a lot of time with our family. But I guess there’s still some pride in where we came from,” Nicole agreed.

  “Well, there’s no escaping my family here in this building. I’m sure you recognized that a few of us are related? And I assure you, you have no idea how deep the ties run here. Even I need a chart some times. Uncle Jack knows how everyone is connected, but I’m more interested in getting us into tomorrow and out of yesterday,” Tony said.

  Then Tony thought about what Nicole had said. “So you do have family here? I thought you came here because you wanted to work for our firm?”

  “Both. My brother is still about three hours away. Not exactly next door, but closer than California. So I really did want to work for RKA, or wait, I’m sorry, ARK. Fortunately, you were located close enough to my brother that I could still see him and his family once and a while,” Nicole assured him.

  She continued: “He’s thinking about moving to the city anyway. I’ve been telling him about everything going on here, and about ARK. He’s coming here in a few days to stay with me for a while. Try to look for a job.”

  “Let me guess, he lives out in one of the small towns, lost his job, and now there’s nothing out there for him?” Tony asked.

  “That’s right, he used to run a bio–fuel plant. You know, the ones that turned corn into gasoline? That was his life and career, but they shut it down when cars went electric and Interior decided large-scale farming wasn’t environmentally acceptable. Paul and I grew up on a farm, but Mom and Dad moved into town a long time ago.”

  She smiled at Tony now, feeling a little more comfortable. “Not that you big-city lawyers would know anything about farming, right?”

  Tony smiled back, “You might be surprised how deep my interest in farming goes. Tell Paul when he gets here that I’ve got a place for him in one of our projects working on Superfund cleanup for the EPA. I need someone with practical experience so I don’t get taken by the criminals out there,” he laughed as the irony sunk in.

  The smile faded as he switched subjects. “So tell me about these Continuity people. Uncle Jack said they tried to force their religion on you, but you wouldn’t go for it?”

  Nicole spoke freely for the next thirty minutes about her exposure to Continuity, and the people called Fruit of the Valley. She described a movement called by many names, depending on whom the program was tailored to: Fellowship of the Common Core, Church of Tomorrow, Fruit of the Valley, The Path, The Network. Whatever the name, they were all under the umbrella of Continuity. Tony finished his lunch and listened intently.

  “I detect a fruity theme,” Tony joked when she finished her monologue.

  “I know, right? I guess they want it all to tie in to GRAPEVINE. That’s how they think they’ll live forever,” Nicole added, explaining to Tony the system of Progressions.

  “That just sounds like a bad twentieth-century self–help program, not a religion,” Tony said.

  “I guess you just have to be around them to get the vibe they put off. They quote certain passages from Zen Buddhism and even Christianity all the time. The passages are always about being one’s best and helping those around you. Sounds good on the surface, but then you realize they’re just trying to accomplish something for their Profiles.”

  “What about the Hate Crime laws?” Tony asked. “Our HR department is terrified of any religious material being around here. And we have to tell people to keep their personal opinions to themselves, outside of our doors especially. I’m surprised they’re allowed to talk about all that.”

  “You would think so, but in reality all the businesses out there push Continuity, constantly. I guess maybe because it gets packaged as a business improvement seminar? HR departments love it, and management can integrate the principles into working harder for a greater good.

  “Even the big Churches are embracing it because they can come off so much more friendly. No black-and-white moral absolutes. They act like a social service organization. Churches can push volunteerism and prosperity. They don’t even reference the Scriptures anymore. The Free Speech Council doesn’t bother them as long as the pastors stick to the fun part,” Nicole said, continuing her long-forgotten lunch.

  After a couple of bites, she continued: “Even the schools use the New Common Core. Get the fruit theme again? Parents are desperate to get their kids into the Academies sponsored by Fruit of the Valley. There’s hardly any math or science being taught. All critical thinking is taken care of by the Wristbands. The curriculum is psychology-based; more meditation and group interaction then learning.

  Nicole shuddered. “The kids who come out of there are like creepy little zombies. My coworkers used to bring them into our office sometimes. They thought they were showing them off. All I could think was that these kids would be helpless if the power ever shut off again. But I guess with GRAPEVINE managing the grid, we don’t have to worry about that, right?” she asked.

  Tony nodded slowly; thinking about what Uncle Jack had told him…All that power in one name, GRAPEVINE.

  “And you can forget about the colleges and universities. They’re completely infested with Continuity followers out there…and probably around here, too. You can’t move anywhere in the big public universities without having a decorated Profile. They don’t refer to careers anymore, they refer to Pathways. Every professor is on a Pathway. Even if you want to go to grad school, you have to adhere. There are no written rules, just Networks of Fruits helping each other,” she added, using a slang term picked up among the few Californians not following Continuity.

  The two sat eating silently for a few moments, Tony processing the information and Nicole wondering what else Tony might find helpful.

  Nicole continued: “They’ve got a Fruit of the Valley temple here. Did you know that?”

  “Where at?”

  “Near the Welcome Center on 23rd. I noticed it when I picked up my new Wristband. Wristband updates are like Christmas here, you know? I hate the stupid things; they feel like a dog collar. Anyway, I recognized the Fruit of the Valley symbols on the front of the building. The big V with the sunrise behind it. You know, like the sun is rising up through the letter?” Nicole informed. “Plus, there’s a perfect circle, a metal disk, on both doors. That’s the symbol for Continuity.

  How did I not know that? I’ve got to tell Bobby to get someone in there.

  “We had some clue they were operating here in the city,” Tony replied.

  Something came suddenly to his mind. “Have you met anyone here at ARK that you think is a follower?”

  Nicole considered the question, and answered. “I don’t think so, your group seems pretty down-to-earth. But you’ve got a lot of people here. I certainly haven’t met them all.”

  Tony stopped, studying this person who had been a complete stranger just an hour ago. He was famous for his snap judgment, quick decisions that proved right more often than not.

  Can I trust her? She didn’t come to us with this information, Uncle Jack found her by accident. She could be a plant from M&C or Interior...ah, quit second guessing yourself. You’re just as clever as they are, and you couldn’t have planned this kind of coincidence. He made his decision.

  “Nicole, I want you to work on a special project for me. Something very important to our firm. But unfortunately, I’ve got to ask you to keep it a complete secret,” Tony said.

  Nicole gave a stunned look. “You just met me an hour ago, and now you’re asking me to work on a top-secret project? What happened to the world-famous security you were supposed to enforce?” she asked.

  “Let’s just say I’m a good judge of character. We’ll gi
ve you gold to operate with, so there’s no currency to track. The people I’ll assign to help you will know who to discreetly purchase supplies from.”

  “I’ve never even touched a gold coin. I didn’t even know there were businesses that still accepted real money.” Nicole’s eyes narrowed a bit, and questioned: “Is this project illegal?”

  “You mean do you have to kill someone?” Tony asked brusquely. “Or sell drugs?”

  He paused, surprised he allowed himself to take the question so personally. Of course she knew the family’s past, everyone did. And surely she understood that even today their businesses operated in the gray area of society.

  Occasionally over into the darker shades, he admitted to himself. People have taken that jab at me my whole life, why did I let it bother me when she asked?

  “I’m sorry if I offended you. I’m just a little wary of strangers offering me gold and asking me to go on secret missions for them,” Nicole offered as her expression softened.

  She’s got guts.

  “No, it’s all right. I forget you’re new to our firm. I keep thinking you should know us better, but of course you don’t. All you know is what you’ve heard from others. Nicole, if you’re uncomfortable with this, I understand. You can say no, and there won’t be any ramifications. Your current job won’t be affected, and we’ll act like this conversation never happened,” Tony assured her, sincerely.

  Nicole stared deep into Tony’s eyes for a moment that seemed like an hour. Seldom had the infamous Tony Diamante, CEO of one of the most powerful firms in the country, felt so uncomfortable.