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

by G. R. Carter

  Alex nodded.

  “Switch those two. Forget trying to beat New America and figure out how to kill Walsh. Your master plan was to capture him so the Grays would fall apart. Wouldn’t killing him accomplish the same thing? And you wouldn’t have to wreck any more men or equipment on either side,” Tony concluded.

  “Great theory, my friend. But I never wanted to make him a martyr to their cause. Walsh always painted us as domestic terrorists. Assassination proves his point. Besides, I imagine he’s invested quite a bit in making sure we can’t kill him,” Alex said a little testily. Headaches continued to nag his thinking as exhaustion crept in. This was the longest he had been awake since the invasion.

  “You’re thinking of when he was in his comfy fortified capital. You own that now. He, on the other hand, is in a temporary headquarters trying to piece his empire back together,” Tony said.

  Alex suddenly understood Tony’s line of thinking. “You’re talking about a coup where we install ‘reasonable’ leaders that will strike a deal with us,” he said. “We’ve got all these New America officers that Martin is onboarding. A group of them would make perfect administrators.”

  Alex felt a wave of hope wash over him. He tried desperately not to get his hopes up, but the thought of not having to send his precious soldiers into a costly battle lifted his soul. Plus he was tired of killing brave men, no matter what their uniform.

  “That’s brilliant, Tony. How do you come up with this stuff?” Alex asked.

  Tony smiled with a shark-tooth grin. “Call it the family business.”

  *****

  “How is he, really?” Nicole Kelley asked her friend and colleague.

  “I think he’ll be fine. I really do. We’re going to keep him busy enough he doesn’t have time to dwell on Clark’s death,” the woman who acted as co-Founder of the Republic replied. Rebekah Kelley needed no title to wield power. Just her strength and wit, aided by a fair amount of charm.

  “A lot of us feared the worst,” Nicole admitted. “Tony was really broken up. I’ve never seen him so down. He’s always got his eye on the bigger picture, but until we got your message he was really gloomy.”

  “I understand. We’re stomping out rumors of Alex’s death all over the Republic. General Hopkins from Vincennes has demanded to see him if our negotiations are to continue. Mom’s done a great job with him, but the guy’s worried that whatever he agrees to won’t hold up with the next leader,” Rebekah added.

  The two most powerful women of this corner of the new world sat just above the room that held their partners. The same chimney served their fireplace, and warmth radiated from the personal chambers of the Hamiltons. A spiral staircase opened to the study holding the two men below, keeping Rebekah within ear shot if Alex suddenly felt weak or ill.

  “This place is going to be beautiful when you’re done, Bek,” Nicole said, looking around. “I’m jealous of the land and the trees.”

  Rebekah laughed. “You’ve got the most amazing views, though. You might have the only penthouse suite left on the continent!”

  “That’s true. But you have to plan ahead when you want to leave. The new elevators are slow,” she said, drawing out the final word to illustrate her frustration. She left out the fact that prisoners were the ones who turned the cranks to make the system work. Human rights among rule breakers were not a concern at ARK, an irony not lost on their allies. “But the hanging gardens are beautiful and so practical. The sunlight and rain all get put to use. Since you were there last, we’ve painted almost all the dark surfaces bright colors to help with cooling. The city literally shines from a distance!”

  Rebekah could see the excitement in her friend’s eyes. “Funny, isn’t it? ARK is the ultimate surviving urban city and the Republic is almost strictly rural. We’d never dream of building anything taller than the Capitol Building.”

  “Well, we could never replicate those tall buildings, either. But I’m confident we can keep them in good shape for at least a couple of generations. We’ve blown most of the remaining river levees north of us, so with luck we won’t have to worry about flooding again. That will go a long way to keeping the city center in good shape.”

  “You’re really an amazing engineer, Nicole. Where do you find the time to do everything?”

  “Nah, it’s you who seems to be two people at once. Helping to run the Republic and still President of Old Main? That would have been a crazy load even with computers and cars. How do you do it?” Nicole asked.

  “Celeste is taking on a lot more of the responsibilities at Old Main. We’re training people to be engineers there, so why not let the Wizards have a bigger hand in designing the curriculum? I’m just serving as an organizer. And I’ll be honest, Mom never really retired. She says she is, but not having to be the final decision maker at the college means she gets to actually do more there. I just back her decisions,” Rebekah answered with a laugh.

  “I don’t doubt your Mom’s still involved. Old Main was her life, especially after your Dad passed. She’s a hero of mine, your mom I mean. Able to raise an amazing daughter, be a leader, and still keep it all together. I wander how many other groups could have survived if they had someone like her? Anyway, every time I get tired and want to quit, I think about what she would do.”

  Rebekah smiled, grabbing her friend's arm. “She’d be so flattered to hear you say that, and embarrassed too! I know she has one favor to ask of you, though.”

  “Anything, just name it.” Nicole replied.

  “We’ve got this professor here, Davidson. He was a spy for the old government when Mom resigned the US Senate and came here. Someone in Washington had him keeping tabs on everything that Mom did. She only kept him around because he was the source of grant money to fund Old Main’s work on the space program.” Rebekah paused at the shocked look on her friend’s face.

  “Are you joking?” Nicole asked. “I thought you were focused on agriculture and manufacturing here before the Reset. Now you’re telling me you have a rocket scientist you’ve been hiding from me all this time?”

  “Not exactly hiding. We just didn’t have any pressing need for a space station planner when we were growing potatoes in the campus quad, you know?”

  “Why didn’t you force him out after the Reset? Especially if he was a traitor?” Nicole asked, unaware of the chill in her words. Being exiled meant certain death in the new world.

  “You know how the impeccable Senator Julia Ruff is,” Rebekah laughed. “Always thinks everyone can be saved and brought around to her way of thinking. Frankly, he has been a good soldier over the last few years. His attitude has changed a lot. I’ll certainly never trust him, but he could be useful. He’s been rebuilding a computer system for us with old components from storage. We had a bunch of those that never got recycled. Mom, well I, gave him the go ahead to start working on putting together an internal network for us. The software is so outdated that whatever took out the modern stuff doesn’t seem to affect what we have.”

  “So you want him to spend some time working with our mainframe to see if you can replicate it here?” Nicole asked.

  “Something like that…is that okay? I don’t want you to think we’re trying to steal ARK secrets. We just figured if anyone could keep an eye on him it was the Peacekeepers. Besides, Davidson is actually quite brilliant. He might have something to add, and I know you’re short on computer engineers,” Rebekah replied.

  “True. I think it’s fine, I can’t see what it would hurt,” Nicole said. “Now, finish telling me about how the irrigation system is going to work here at Aronia Point. I need to design something new for our truck gardens…”

  Chapter Ten– Red Hawk Rising

  Fortress Farm Aronia Point

  New Home of Alex and Rebekah Hamilton

  Two Weeks after New America/GangStar Invasion

  Martin Fredericks took a deep breath, a bit incredulous at the complicated idea placed before him. But experience taught him Tony Diamante and
Alex Hamilton were usually right in matters of grand strategy. They were both looking to him for an honest assessment of their idea of staging a coup against Frederick’s former commander.

  “Let me recap if I may, gentlemen. You want me to identify half a dozen New America officers now truly loyal to us, talk them into being dropped into the middle of Gray territory, take Walsh prisoner, hail themselves as the temporary ruling committee of New America, and then declare an end to hostilities with us?” Fredericks asked as straight-faced as possible.

  Tony and Alex both cast hopeful looks in his direction; Fredericks was struck at how young the two could look when begging for approval.

  “That’s a pretty tall order, don’t you think?” Fredericks asked.

  “Audacious, I will admit. But also a chance to end the Gray threat once and for all. Most importantly, end it without another meat grinder that gets a bunch of our men killed,” Alex replied.

  “Except me!” Fredericks blurted out in a rare loss of self-control.

  “What’s that mean? You’re not going in there with them,” Alex said defensively.

  “Of course I am,” Fredericks replied. “If it’s our operation, some of our people have to go. Just send a handful of Americans in there and you’ll have another Bay of Pigs on your hands.”

  Tony and Alex both looked confused for a moment and then caught the historical parallel. Tony spoke up: “We’re not going to invade, just topple. More like the Americans used to do in Central America and Europe. If they didn’t like the people in charge, they changed the people.”

  “I’m not saying I’m against the idea. In fact, it’s the best concept I’ve heard in a long time. Taking out the political leaders instead of the grunts just doing their job? That’s something all of us military types can get behind,” Fredericks said while looking down at the map below. Remembering there were two supreme leaders standing in front of him right now, he looked up a little abashed. “Present company excluded, of course,” he said with a nervous smile.

  “Of course,” Tony replied. “No offense taken. An assassin’s war is the easiest on the rank-and-file. Walsh would certainly take his own shot on Alex if he had it.”

  “Okay, I’ll start thinking it over. Where would we base the operation out of?”

  “Fortress Farm Shiloh. That’s Hank Tripp’s farm. He got hit pretty hard by the Grays and he already has skyship docking apparatus on his towers. We can stage a pretty good-sized operation out of there without causing any suspicion,” Alex said.

  “Hank’s a good man. He’s a Ten Vet,” Martin agreed.

  Tony looked confused. He was familiar with the term but never understood the full meaning.

  Fredericks explained. “He was one of the nine officers with me the day we joined Phil Hamilton’s Self Defense Cooperative. We all deserted Walsh’s ally in Decatur and made a run for it. Two of the nine moved on to find family in other areas, one is buried in the Ring of Honor and the others all have large Fortress Farms spread around the Republic. Hank’s farm just happened to be in the path of the Gray invasion. Bad for Hank’s people, good for us. No telling how many Grays he used up those two days.”

  Tony nodded in appreciation. Every man and woman did their part in the new world, but some were just different, like superheroes in the old action films. Maybe that’s how the myths were created, Tony wondered. Ordinary people witnessed remarkable things on the battlefield and just assumed supernatural powers were the only explanation.

  “So it’s settled then. Martin, you’ll get a group of Grays, uh, I mean Americans put together as soon as possible. I think it would be best if I met them also. Just so they can see I’m not the boogey man, no matter how bad Walsh tried to make me out to be. If they don’t already have their own farms, give them the opportunity to get full Land Lord status. Just don’t make it sound like bribery; if they’re really good men and women, they won’t like the way that feels,” Alex said to Fredericks, thinking his way through the process to the end.

  “Roger that,” Fredericks said. “I’ll have something ASAP. I’ll leave for…wait, what are we calling that area now? I don’t want to call it New America anymore.”

  “We’ll just call it America,” was Alex’s simple reply. “If they want to change the name later via election when they choose their provincial leaders I’m fine with that. But for now, we call it what it is. Best farm ground in the world and hopefully we’ll be able to use every inch of that blackland prairie to feed thousands. Be the bread basket of the world, just like it once was.”

  “Very good, sir. I’m off to America to meet with the candidates. I’ll message you after so we can set the meeting.” Tony rose to shake hands with the Red Hawk Commander.

  Fredericks then turned to a still-seated Alex. With one hand across his heart he said: “Against the storm, Founder Hamilton.”

  The Founder repeated the gesture and replied: “Eternal Republic.”

  Once Fredericks left the room Tony snorted at Alex. “That’s kind of new, isn’t it?”

  Alex nodded. “Yeah. I guess it was something in the works for a while, but I was too caught up in other things to realize. Since I’ve been out a while, Sam and Martin put everyone up to doing it. Caught on like wildfire. I guess our little cooperative is really growing up. A touch of Roman dramatics if you ask me.”

  “You mean like naming your capital city Philippi?” Tony laughed. “Don’t be so hard on them, I think it adds some gravitas. Might help bring on the new people. Slogans like that bond folks together. For good or ill, I suppose.”

  “My friend, I think I’m going to close my eyes for a few minutes. I know you’ve only got a little time here, but this is the most I’ve been up and moving since the battle,” Alex said wearily.

  “I understand, Alex. In fact, if you don’t mind, I might just take a little siesta myself. I can’t tell you the last time I’ve been able to sit quietly by a fire without someone bursting in shouting about the crisis of the hour,” Tony replied.

  He smiled at his friend and told him: “Just be ready when you wake up. I’ve got a special present for you and Sam. Eric too, if he’s around.”

  “I’ll look forward to it,” Alex replied and closed his eyes. He didn’t have time to complete his first prayer before his mind went dark.

  *****

  Alex Hamilton pulled the hydraulic lever beside the seat of his John Deere 4020 tractor. He watched as the disc blades behind him raised up out of black dirt just long enough for him to make a 180-degree turn and head back for another round. Just another few hours and I can switch to the planter, he thought as he kept an eye on the sun falling towards the tree line ahead. It was afternoon and in the heat of the day. If he wanted to get the field work done and the planter in the field while there was daylight, he’d have to hurry.

  “Alex.”

  Strange that he could hear Bek’s voice over the roaring diesel in front of him.

  “Alex, you have another visitor,” his wife’s voice said. This time it was a little louder as the field in front of him began to melt away into nothingness.

  He tried to force his eyes open, focusing the uncovered one as best he could to the restricted field of vision.

  “Alex, Mom and General Hopkins from Vincennes are here to see you.”

  Groggily he tried to process the information. No one was scheduled to be here today. He just needed a short nap and then he could get back to work with his friends from ARK. He ran the back of his hand across his face, nearly pulling off the leather eyepatch attached diagonally around his head.

  “Uh, okay. That’s fine. Just give me a minute to clear the cobwebs out of my brain. Tony and Nicole?” he asked hopefully.

  “They’re still here. We’ve just been looking over their food requirements for the next month. Trying to plan out how to fill the new storage bins they built,” Rebekah told him. “They didn’t want to impose while you spoke to Hopkins.”

  “I’m glad they’re still here. Don’t you think
they should sit in with us?” Alex asked his closest advisor.

  “I do. I think it will help the General understand we’re equals and how we work with our allies,” Rebekah replied.

  “Great point. Will you send for them? Make sure that your Mom sits on one side of the General and maybe Tony on the other side. Let’s go to the conference room. I know it’s not finished yet but the round table will be perfect. I don’t want all of us sitting across the table from just him. That makes it seem adversarial,” Alex said, still half-dazed.

  Rebekah sent a junior officer to see to the arrangements while she went to find Tony and Nicole. She quickly briefed them on the information Julia Ruff was able to pass discreetly through assistants. Apparently Ruff was confident a deal could be made, but Alex would have to be the one to close the sale.

  Alex shuffled over to the wheelchair and fell more than sat on the sling below. Rebekah remained silent for the trip down the hallway. The two shared the same vision for bringing Vincennes into their circle of allies. Hopkins ran the community like he saw fit, but all indications were he was a good man who sincerely cared for not only his troops but the citizenry in general. That went a long way in their book, and ARK didn’t differ that much in structure. The Red Hawk leaders sincerely wanted citizen input, but even then the Founder had the final say on matters of utmost importance.

  “General Hopkins, I can’t tell you how honored I am to see you again. I was just a student of my father’s when we first met. We’re extremely grateful you’ve made the trip over to see us,” Alex beamed. The bleariness dropped away and he was the old Alex Hamilton again, eyepatch and wheelchair notwithstanding.

  “Founder Hamilton, please forgive my intrusion. I truly appreciate the company and the hospitality of Senator Ruff but I just had to know for myself that I was negotiating with the full authority of the Republic,” Hopkins replied. “I have begged the Senator’s forgiveness. I never meant to doubt her sincerity. She has graciously forgiven my imposition, though I wonder if that’s not just the work of an excellent diplomat.”