by G. R. Carter
Number 5 – “freedom from religion”…I wonder what in the world that means. I get freedom of religion, but freedom from religion is going to need some explaining. The Okaw’s Unified Church was gaining momentum and Phil was very protective of their efforts.
Number 6 – all disputes among alliance members to be heard yearly by an impartial tribunal of unaffected members. All decisions to be final. Phil paused. That sounded a little bit like three little towns could pull Okaw Valley into a Kangaroo Court for whatever they wanted.
“We’re getting into what the alliance does for you, and away from the original idea of just working together peacefully,” Phil said, only slightly whispering to Julia.
“Wait until you read the next one,” she added.
“Executive Council to be elected amongst alliance members. Council to determine balance of trade disputes and be responsible for distribution of aid to all alliance members in need.”
A lightning-quick grab of Phil’s arm was all that stopped him from jumping up right there. Julia proved her mom reflexes had not subsided over the years.
“Just wait, now’s not the time. Let’s get this guy to let us know exactly what he’s after first. Turns out maybe he’s a little craftier than we gave him credit for. Since we agreed that each community gets a vote in these issues, I get the distinct impression each vote will be about 20–2,” she whispered.
“Why do these people keep proving my son correct?” Phil said, shaking his head.
“Pardon? What’s that mean?”
“I’ll give you the details later. The point is that ghosts of old Federal DC still haunts even these halls. Give someone the chance to buy votes with other people’s work, and they’ll go for it. Just like the bad old days,” Phil replied.
“Funny, that’s what Rebekah keeps saying, too,” Julia confirmed with a sigh. Her internal conflicts about the right way to run a government caused a tornado of emotions. She was worn down from the daily struggles they faced and the arguments on how to handle even the smallest details.. “Phil, I’m afraid Okaw Valley and Old Main will have to hammer out our own deal. Then if the smaller communities want to join, they can. But it will be on our terms, and they will be joining, not hanging on. Full integration.”
“Do you think your faculty will go for that? They’ve got some really specific ideas on us…like specifically they don’t like us at all. I think the term ‘farmland fascists’ got thrown around by that Maxwell character you let hang around!” Phil said. He spoke a little louder now, not caring if the speaker knew he wasn’t paying attention. Subconsciously, he had already given up on this meeting’s purpose.
“Yeah, some think you’ve gone totally militaristic. Mostly, they’re just jealous that you can feed and protect yourselves at the same time. That doesn’t fit the worldview they came of age with. But the core of our population loves you guys. They would fold up the college and community right into the SDC and not think twice,” Julia replied.
She continued: “These younger folks really changed after the Reset. Danger isn’t just a hypothetical theory to them…they can sense how unstable this world is. Just because we’ve steadied a little bit now doesn’t mean the whole thing couldn’t still come apart. Part of it is probably being a full forty miles closer to the Grays than Okaw Valley is, too. We go to bed every night wondering if they’ll show up to attack us the next morning.”
“Not if we can help it!” Phil said emphatically.
“See what I mean? The students and townspeople both know that. So does the faculty who worked with you guys on the Mark 2s and the biofuel. We know each other. We trust you.”
“I appreciate that trust. I really do. But I’m just one guy. If you all join up with us, what happens if the next leader loses their way? Undoing something like is really hard, and usually very painful,” Phil countered.
“I’m not advocating we give up our dreams of a republic. I was one of the last holdouts for liberty in DC, remember? I’m just saying that right now with the specter of all these threats hanging over our head, we might need to grow into it slowly,” Julia replied.
“I just get the feeling that we’re going to regret this someday. But I trust all of you and you’re all pretty much saying the same thing,” Phil sighed. “Well, should we leave this dog and pony show now? Or wait it out?”
Julia stood and interrupted the peacock leading the proceedings: “Mr. Speaker, I’m afraid that the good people of Old Main College will not be able to abide by the terms you have laid out here. We respectively resign our position, relinquish our spot on the speakers list and wish you all the best.”
Looks of shock and horror faced Ruff as she gathered her papers and walked towards the door.
“Wait, Madame President! Wait! Let us negotiate! These are just ideas to be discussed!”
Phil wasn’t sure who was actually yelling, he was already just a few steps behind his ally and friend as she disappeared around the corner.
Julia pushed the outer doors open, taking in the sunshine that greeted them.
Phil caught up and walked alongside her. “They say I’m the one who isn’t politically correct! I think you definitely got their attention.”
“You’ve said it a thousand times, Phil. And I believe you now. We don’t have a day…or even a minute to waste in this new world.” She stopped and looked around at the campus where they stood. Knots of young people hurried from place to place, all with assigned tasks. No one lounged around – there was a clear purpose to each person’s actions this morning.
She continued: “I’m so proud of the way Old Main reacted to this whole nightmare. From the reports you showed me, your Raptor teams have found mostly death and destruction everywhere. I mean, it seems like we’re the last outpost of civilization here. Like some kind of bad Twilight Zone or Walking Dead episode. We woke up one morning and we’re the only ones left on Earth.”
“I know, I understand,” Phil replied. “Clark and I talk about it all the time.”
“Talk about what?” Olsen asked as he walked up behind the two.
“How this all happened so quick, the power going out I mean, that we didn’t stop to think about the human toll. We were just trying to survive…but we had been just scraping by for so long even before the Reset that it just didn’t seem that different. But with the Raptor teams out exploring, we can get the grasp of just how terrible and empty everything really is,” Phil sighed.
“Clark, I told Phil that Old Main College will accept a complete merger with the SDC, if you’ll have us,” Julia said, looking up at the big man. “The time for playing little Greek city-states is over, we need to unify against all the bad things out there. Including our version of the Persians up north. We can’t do it on our own anymore, and I believe we would be a good asset to you all.”
Olsen arched an eyebrow at Julia, a trick he picked up from his wife years ago. Then he looked over at Phil with a slight look of accusation.
“Don’t blame me, partner. This was not my idea. She just sprung it on me, and then marched out of the meeting we were in. This time it’s her that’s in trouble…I really was trying to play nice,” Phil laughed.
“Listen, Julia. I know that you’ve made Old Main into a great place. And I believe you really will be a great ally to us. But if we bring you and two dozen other communities into the SDC, we’ll cease being what we were created to be. Phil and I are arguing…err, discussing right now what the best form of government is. Some kind of democracy of survivors is going to stretch us to the breaking point. We’ve learned the hard way, we can’t be everywhere at once,” Clark pleaded.
“I understand that. And like I told Phil, I’m not suggesting we put all this up to vote. That’s why we just left that farce of a meeting in there. The old saw about democracy equaling two wolves and one sheep voting on what’s for dinner…” she paused again, once more glancing around her campus. There seemed to be some strength she gathered from the sight of standing buildings and living reside
nts. She had gotten them this far…
Julia continued: “No votes on this one. We strike the terms of the merger between us. If anyone wants to join, they abide by the rules of the SDC. The Greenfield Shield flies over the farms and towns that join. People serve in the SDC militia, they adhere to the Quarter-Bushel system, and if they want SDC protection, they petition to move somewhere closer. Lord knows we’ve got plenty of untilled land just within sight of us here. “
The Founder and the sheriff exchanged glances. Olsen spoke first: “You know how I feel, Phil. And you’ve heard how Commander Fredericks sees things. People really want this. I know you’re scared to death of being called a dictator. This would increase four or five times the number of people looking to you for answers. That’s going to have to be your burden. Unfortunately for you, you’re the only one who can pull this off right now.”
The tipping point finally arrived for Phil. In his heart, he knew it was wrong…he knew that some form of benevolent dictatorship, whatever pretty name they put on it, always ended badly. All of these years he preached a small government republic, and now he finally had the chance to put his ideas into practice. Yet at the crucial moment, he was about to give in to what his friends and family said they wanted. He was going to allow his people to revert to the easy path and cede authority to someone not afraid to make the hard decisions. Maybe once we get through this rough time I can set things right, he tried to convince himself.
“All right, here’s the deal,” Phil began. “I want you two to hammer out a one-page agreement. No more than one page. Bring one or two other people in on the discussion, maybe Steinbrink and Kuhn. But keep the group small, no committees! Create a Republic Senate or a House of Neighbors for the entire territory. And make sure there is some mechanism for my removal, short of a bullet in the courtyard, right?”
The two snickered, nodding their heads.
Phil continued: “Now that’s your punishment for insubordination. You tend to the details while I go out and enjoy the afternoon with our troops in the field. I had Alex drive my old Turtle up just in case my plan of skipping some meetings worked out. Julia, thank you for making sure I had the chance.
“Cancel the extra festivities around the dinner tonight. We’ll still do the meal, but instead of the dance afterward, I’ll speak to what we’re doing. Invite everyone to it. Julia, you’ll be introducing me and explaining what the Old Main position is. If you could show some kind of signed document from the Faculty Senate supporting this, that would be powerful stuff for the doubters. Everyone knows they’re not exactly my fan club.” More smiles and nods at the truth of the statement.
“Okay, Clark. We’ve spent enough time together since the Reset; you know what my wishes are. And I’ll support whatever you two come up with,” Phil concluded.
To himself: I just wish Anna was here to talk through all this – she could make me feel more confident this is the right move.
Phil’s wife decided to stay behind on this trip, important as it was. Tending to her duties organizing the School Shelters still housing a large portion of Okaw Valley’s residents took priority over pomp and circumstance. I wonder how she’ll feel about starting all over again in so many new places. Already it feels like the Hamilton family is never together.
“One thing to think about, we’ve got extra Quarters that we brought along. Why not hand out a bag of Quarters to each community tonight? They can exchange them for bushels of soybeans to take home,” Phil added. “Tell them all we need more fire suits, helmets, Kevlar, knee pads, etc. Any protective gear for the Turtle crews. I bet there’s a bunch of old race shops in that area where they can find equipment like that. Tell them we’ll trade generously for those.”
“Thinking like a benevolent sovereign, Founder Hamilton,” Olsen said. The mocking British accent didn’t fit the hulking Midwestern sheriff at all, which made it even funnier.
“Whatever…just wait until you find out the special office I’m creating for you. You’ll be cussing yourself before this is all over!” Phil said, pointing a finger at Olsen.
“Julia, I apologize I have to leave you with this man the rest of the day. By the end of it, he’ll have me in a purple robe and crown!” Phil turned and walked away quickly before anyone could stop him. He shouted over his shoulder, “Now you two get workin’, I’m going to play in the dirt!”
Chapter Eleven – Shield of the Okaw
Old Main College – Combined Allied Forces Training
Afternoon of the Alliance Summit
Over Two Years after the Great Reset
Fireworks, popping, gunfire... A loud rat–tat–tat sound that shook him into reality. The same angry sound he heard in the first days after the Reset. A whole lifetime ago, or so it seemed. That day his life and his attitude changed and gave him a moment of clarity still driving his actions every day. Years had passed between that day and present time, but there are certain sounds that stick with a person forever.
Phil looked towards where two of his armored Snapping Turtles sat next to civilian Humvees with the insignia of his allies. The symbol was a bright red hawk, the sports mascot of Old Main College. He recognized years ago that his people needed emblems to rally around. So too had the leaders of the college when they proposed their survival plan. The American flag and the symbols of their former homeland were now used by a savage and fascist regime to the north. So all surviving communities were struggling to develop their own mythos and traditions. Family and community, “tribalism,” one of the professors at the college had called it, replaced any concept of national unity.
The glaring red hawk’s emblem was a necessary indulgence for this joint maneuver, even if it would have to be toned down in the combat situations to come. Phil smirked…a bit ridiculous that a college mascot would end up on a killing machine.
We have to prove this is an alliance of equals, not a takeover. So the hawk symbols would stay.
Phil keyed the mic of his handheld radio. Sporting goods stores proved a great source for peripheral supplies like this. All guns and food were gone, along with a lot of the clothing and high-priced sneakers. Looters overlooked things like tents, canoes and especially radios. Most electronic devices were useless due to the Solar Storms, but the Okaw Valley SDC’s Wizard Academy developed ways to make the little hand held versions work. They had an odd look, with wires crisscrossing the plastic casings shielding internal circuits. The Wizards explained the wires somehow kept the Solar Storms from frying the radios when used, most of the time.
Gunfire sounded again. Have to find out who’s breaking protocol…
“Red team leader, who’s firing live ammo right now? I told everyone we’re practicing maneuvers, not target practice.” Deputy Kevin Richardson was one of the Okaw Valley SDC’s most valued troops, and a solid man. He wouldn’t defy orders without a very good reason.
Slight static, and then a brief reply: “We’re not firing anything right now, sir. But I heard it too. I think it came from west of here just past that tree line. Shall we scout it out?”
Before Phil could answer, a small jeep came ripping out of the tree line directly towards Red team’s position. He could see Richardson shouting orders to both groups of allied troops. Too far away to actually hear the words being said, Phil knew precisely how the conversation would go. No time for patient explanations now, everyone would follow Richardson’s orders immediately or be left behind.
Training carried SDC men into their Turtles with a speed that pleased him. Old Main troops weren’t as well trained, or as quick. In a flurry of metal and flame, three men with the hawk insignia paid the ultimate price for thinking instead of acting. Hardened as he had become, the Founder of the Okaw Valley SDC found himself nearly retching as the Old Main men disappeared into the corn stalks surrounding their vehicles.
The attacking jeep made an almost 90-degree turn to veer away from the Turtles and circle back to the trees. The jeep was clearly a scout vehicle, tasked to search out enemy lines, r
aise some havoc, and gather intelligence. The jeep’s driver leaned over the steering wheel as though that might help him squeeze a little more speed out of the nearly hundred-year-old war machine. His navigator was holding on for dear life, as was the gunner manning the weapon mounted on a platform directly behind the front two seats.
That gunner just widowed three women. For what?
He felt the sting of loss, softened only by the knowledge that the enemy gunner had instantly forged a pact that would become an inseparable bond. Okaw and Old Main, two tribes that just a short time ago were Americans now became part of something much more real. More visceral. A battle cry that would be felt throughout the territory and beyond. Our first Martyrs. Their Founder would see to that.
Before he could give the order to destroy the jeep, his armored Turtles both belched fire from their weapons. The entire scout jeep and its inhabitants nearly vaporized in a torrent of lead. Six men total, now gone from the face of the earth before I uttered a word. A new world now, one he knew would get a lot worse very soon.
Now the words came quickly and forcibly. “Kevin, get your tail up here and form on me. Tell the Red Hawks to take our left flank, angled back towards the town. If anything wants to get to Old Main, they’ll have to deal with this hill.”
The swale he referred to wasn’t much of a hill; just the highest ground between whoever was out there and the town behind him. He could see the city center just a few miles in the distance. Another reason for no live fire today; many of their heavy weapons could easily travel that distance. Martin Fredericks once reminded him a stray bullet could kill a civilian just as easily as an aimed one. But Hamilton wanted the townspeople to see what was going on – see their warriors cooperating with his – so these open corn fields made the perfect training grounds for today’s tasks.