Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains)

by Kyle Pratt

Major Cheng’s hand was already out to stop the second strike.

  With gun still drawn, Caden stepped over his unconscious friend. “We’ll take David and leave.”

  Cheng nodded and moved back.

  He lifted Weston with the help of the two American soldiers. The injured man moaned as they moved him. Only then did Caden notice the microphone under David’s jacket. A wire ran down to what looked like a cellphone on his belt.

  The limo that Weston arrived in sped off.

  What is going on here?

  * * *

  David Weston’s swollen eyes blinked, opened and slowly seemed to come into focus. “Where am I?” His voice had a nasal quality.

  Caden decided not to tell him that much of the left side of his face was black, blue and purple. “Olympia General Hospital.” He smiled. “Did you have a nice rest?”

  “How long was I out?”

  “Just over a day.” Caden pulled out his phone. “The governor was here earlier. He said to notify him when you woke up. He wants to personally thank you for getting Major Cheng to admit to the details of the treaty and then he wants to strangle you for pulling such a dangerous stunt.”

  “What happened?”

  “You don’t remember?”

  “Most of it I do, just not why I’m here with….” He felt the bandages on his head. “I remember arriving at the port in the limo and….” He looked confused. “What happened?”

  Caden had replayed the incident so many times in his head it was easy for him to retell it to David. “…so, the soldier smashed you in the face with the butt of his rifle, broke your nose, and you hit the pavement so hard you have a concussion. But what I don’t understand is why you chose to hide a news cameraman and reporter in a limo?”

  “I couldn’t roll up in a news van. If Major Cheng had any idea he was being filmed he would have done his best to talk like a diplomat. I wanted him to speak frankly about the treaty and what he thought, so I needed an unmarked vehicle with plenty of space and tinted windows. When you think of ample space and tinted windows, what vehicle comes to your mind?”

  Caden laughed.

  “Did they get the video on the local news?”

  “They sure did. Durant won’t let the networks touch it and has tried to keep it off the Internet, but the Olympia media was using it within the hour. Reporters and others friendly to Monroe’s campaign have passed it along. I know it has been seen in much of the west and perhaps the entire nation.

  “Oh, and despite Durant’s best efforts, the clip of Major Cheng saying Governor Monroe should be arrested went viral about the same time President Durant’s order to do it was reported by the media. The timing made it look like Durant is a puppet of the Chinese military.”

  “He’s ordered Monroe to be arrested?”

  Caden nodded. “The governor is the voice of the opposition.”

  Weston looked down at his hands and sighed. “Durant is no puppet, but he is an arrogant fool and he is in over his head.”

  “I always believed he was a self-centered egotist, who enjoyed power, but it doesn’t matter what we think, the press, at least those outlets not under Durant’s control, are showing your video over and over again. The silence of the New York networks on the issue just plays into the public doubts about Durant. You getting your nose broken by the butt of a Chinese rifle made it all the more dramatic.”

  Weston moaned. “I didn’t plan on that. I just wanted the treaty stopped.”

  “Well, I think you accomplished that. As of this morning, Senator Cole of Montana has spoken against the treaty and five states have appointed new senators and instructed them to reject the treaty. Those states have also adopted resolutions to hold elections in November. Another six states are discussing appointing new senators and holding fall elections.”

  “Good.”

  Caden sighed deeply. “But Durant’s not backing down. His arrest order for the governor still stands. He’s even threatening to arrest the new senators and he still says there will be no election. I don’t know what’s going to happen if he doesn’t back down.”

  “War…that’s what will happen…civil war.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “Governor Monroe will be arrested soon.” Becky pointed her finger at Caden’s nose. “You need to be smart or you’ll be in the next cell.” She threw up her arms and in an exasperated voice asked, “How could you point a pistol at a Chinese official?”

  “I pulled it to stop the soldier, not Major Cheng. My friend, David Weston, had just been hit and....”

  “They’re here to help us! And how could you be a part of that awful video?” In a mock male voice she repeated some of what he said, ‘America is stronger than you think.’”

  “I believe that, and the rest of what I said about not sacrificing liberty or our natural resources to China.”

  Becky laughed sarcastically. “Do you really think America is strong now? Millions are dead, injured or homeless.”

  “People are returning. Look around, homes and businesses are….”

  “Yeah, they’re going back in Olympia, Boise, and similar hick towns, but there was rioting in New York just last week and other large cities like Boston and Chicago are war zones. Gangs rule entire districts, looting is rampant…troops are still working their way through Baltimore to Fort Meade. Don’t you see? We’re on our knees and unless we get massive aid quickly millions will starve. We need help, not you brandishing a gun or Weston planting his finger in the chest of a Chinese official. You do realize they are the largest economy now?”

  “China is using this tragedy to establish a sphere of influence on our west coast. Do you realize it’s a ninety-nine year treaty?”

  “Do the math. How long will it take to pay back a trillion dollars?”

  Caden shook his head. “Even so, will the Chinese troops just march back on the boats when the treaty expires?”

  “Who knows, but whether they leave or not isn’t going to be my problem, or yours.”

  “So you don’t care if they stay after this crisis is over?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t agree to the treaty and just leave it for my children or grandchildren to deal with the consequences.”

  She placed her hands on her hips. “Right now you don’t have any children and I’m beginning to think that you may never have any—at least not with me.”

  Caden drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. “No you and I never will. We moved in different directions and I don’t see a future for us. It’s not your fault, this month has changed me…probably changed everyone.”

  Becky stared at him for several moments then spoke with slow deliberation. “You are a different man, that’s for sure, but you’re the one without a future. Change your allegiances or you’ll end up in jail.” She turned and marched from the room.

  Caden walked slowly from the office. He had done the right thing, but wasn’t pleased with how it went. What he wanted to do was talk with Maria. The phones were available only for local calls during the day. He had tried last night, but didn’t connect. He longed to be back there, to hear Maria’s voice. Even the sound of Adam crying would be welcome right now. Becky was wrong, he did have a son and he was pretty sure there would be more children, but not with her.

  He looked out a nearby window. The shadows that stretched across the plaza said he was late. A quick check of his watch confirmed it. He shook his head and hurried down the hall. By now the emergency session of the legislature had begun.

  As he passed the grand staircase of the capitol he saw half-a-dozen Guardsman with M4s in the lobby. Evidently expecting trouble, their attention was focused on the entryway. Beyond them, just outside, he saw Becky through the glass doors as she hurried down the steps.

  Caden continued to the House chamber gallery. Two state patrol officers stood watch at the entrance. No one would be foolish enough to try and arrest Governor Monroe here. He opened the door and stepped in. />
  The gallery was full of reporters, officials and apparently average citizens. Caden found a seat at the back. Ten or more people on the chamber floor were attempting to speak. After several moments the Speaker pounded his gavel.

  Governor Monroe raised his arm, asking for silence. When the room was somewhat quiet he began. “By getting the video, David, my chief of staff, has accomplished what I have been trying to do. He showed the people that President Durant is moving the nation in the wrong direction. Durant has sacrificed freedom for security and sovereignty for food.

  “However, just pointing that out is not enough. We need to show the country the right direction—that we can have both security and freedom. While it may be hard, we can recover with our sovereignty intact.

  “We can restart the economy here in the Northwest and across the nation with just short term aid and no foreign troops. However, if we can’t do that, then I will end my campaign and, if Durant still wants it, I’ll surrender for arrest.”

  The gallery and chamber floor erupted in shouts of “No,” and “Never.”

  Monroe scanned the crowd. “Thank you, but the fact remains that either my vision for the future is right, and America follows me, or it is wrong and I must face the consequences.”

  A delegate asked to speak and was recognized. “President Durant wants to arrest our governor because he is the voice, the personification, of the opposition, but it is not because he opposes Durant, that I support Governor Monroe. I back him because he believes in the founding principles of our nation.”

  Another representative jumped to his feet. “Yes. Exactly. This is about what kind of nation we are going to be.” He turned and looked at Monroe. “This isn’t just about you Governor, but only you can be the voice of it.”

  Caden had studied Locke, Jefferson, Tocqueville and others while in college, but the role of government had always remained a philosophical question, something discussed late in the evening over drinks with friends. This was not such a casual discussion. This was a turning point, a precursor to civil war. Some would go down the winning road; others would, as Reagan once said, ‘end up on the ash heap of history.’

  Even with the delegates from metro Seattle dead, injured or scattered, the debate was contentious and went on for hours, but before it was gaveled to a close, two-thirds of the legislature backed Governor Monroe. Washington State would appoint new senators to congress, hold elections as scheduled in November and the state would not endorse the Sino-American Treaty of Friendship or the new Most Favored Nation trade agreement.

  Caden buttoned his coat as he stepped into the cold night air. The multitude of delegates and observers streamed past him out of the building. He sympathized with those who had just pledged their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor. But I need to talk with everyone at home before…before what? Before I get myself arrested or perhaps killed fighting the mightiest army on the planet. Glancing at his watch, he shook his head. It’s late…early really…I’ll get some sleep and head home in the morning. He walked down the steps of the capitol and proceeded across the plaza toward a hotel that was serving as officer’s quarters. He was in that no-man’s land of darkness between the lights of the capitol and the hotel when he heard footsteps behind him.

  “Major Westmore, we need to talk.”

  Caden turned and, as they approached, could discern the faces of General Collins, the JBLM base commander who ordered Maria’s release and then kicked both of them off the base and Adjutant General Harwich of the Washington Guard. He both cringed and saluted. What now?

  They were all going to the hotel, but talked little until they were inside. There, in General Harwich’s room, they talked for several hours.

  After leaving the two generals he lay on the bed thinking about the events of the day. Sleep came grudgingly.

  On the drive back to Hansen he yawned repeatedly, but not out of boredom. The uneventful trip allowed too much time for weighty thoughts. Memories of combat came to mind. Destruction, blood and death…could all of that be coming here? He prayed that Durant would change course, allow elections, and a new congress.

  The sun had not yet peeked above the trees as Caden pulled up the long driveway to home. Sue sat under a light on the porch with a shotgun across her lap. With the windows rolled up and the bouncing of the car on the dirt driveway, he couldn’t hear her announce his arrival, but he could see it. His mother and father came out on the porch and Maria stepped from the barn carrying what, at first, looked like a rake or shovel.

  Stopping the car, Caden hesitantly stepped out. Maria was running toward him with a smile on her face, but with a pitchfork in her hand. Only as she neared did she drop it and throw her arms around him.

  They held each other tight.

  “I was…we were worried.”

  He nodded. “I missed you. I tried to call, but couldn’t get through.”

  “What kept you away?” she finally asked.

  “There’s a lot going on.”

  As they turned to walk back to the house Maria retrieved the pitchfork.

  Gesturing toward it, Caden asked, “What’s up with that?”

  “When I go to collect eggs the rooster has been getting aggressive. The two of us are going to have a little chat.”

  Caden laughed. “Talk to him later. I need to speak with everyone.”

  * * *

  Trevor rubbed his unshaven face. “You really think war is coming?”

  “I hope not, but if President Durant won’t allow elections, or accept the new congress then, I think, war is likely.”

  “Everything you’ve told us this morning…the Chinese carving out a sphere of influence on the west coast, Durant controlling the media and trying to arrest dissenters….” Trevor shook his head. “I’ve been frustrated with the way this country has been going for years, but…well, what can we do about it?”

  “That’s the thing I need everyone to understand.” One at a time, Caden looked at each member of his family. “Hansen is a small town, out of the way. I can’t imagine that anything will happen here, but it could, and I’ve been ordered to make contingency plans and increase readiness.”

  Maria looked concerned. “What does that mean?”

  “Get the armory ready to fight.”

  “No,” his mother said resolutely.

  “People are going hungry,” Sue said. “Medicine is in short supply. Why are we talking about war?”

  “Because,” Caden replied, “the events that caused the suffering also put Durant in power.”

  Trevor leaned forward resting his chin in his hand. “We don’t choose the time, only how we react to it.”

  “We’re all Americans,” Lisa said. “Will the guys at the armory fight their countrymen?

  “I don’t know. We did once before, during the Civil War, but I’ve been trying to figure out a way to explain it to the soldiers.”

  There was silence for a moment.

  “Who are the rebels?” Maria asked.

  Caden shrugged. “I guess we are.”

  Maria shook her head. “One side is struggling to preserve or restore the nation and one side is breaking it apart. Which side are you on?”

  “I want to preserve America.”

  All the family nodded in agreement.

  * * *

  Caden sat across the table from Lt. Brooks and First Sergeant Fletcher. “…and so I believe I must take a stand and do my part to change the direction of this country. Durant says he is the president because of the constitution, but ignores entire articles of it. We are a republic, but he has not allowed a new congress or elections and he is stifling the press.

  “Some will call it treason,” Caden said with a sigh, “but I am a patriot and I need your help to strengthen what remains of this nation and restore and preserve what we have lost.”

  Brooks shifted in the seat. “The convoy came back earlier this week with more food and the cannery donated a couple thousand cans of vegetables that they couldn’t ship, but t
own’s people are still hungry and I’m not sure starving people will support a war.”

  Caden nodded. “We should be getting more food from Canada, Australia, New Zealand and,” he shrugged, “maybe even China, but unfortunately Durant chose the time, we can only respond. Either tyranny or war is coming. Both ways the civilians will get hurt.”

  There was silence for several moments then Brooks spoke again. “We took an oath to obey the orders of the President.”

  “Yes,” Caden said, “but the first line of that oath is that we will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

  Again there was silence.

  Fletcher took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “You will need to explain this to the men.”

  “Yes,” Caden said, “As soon as we are done.”

  Fletcher and Brooks exchanged nods and then together stood to attention.

  Lt. Brooks looked Caden in the eye. “What are your orders, sir?”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  From the far end of the table, Brooks leaned over the large paper map of the county held in place by coffee cups, staplers and a hole punch. “Do you really think they will come through Hansen when they try to arrest Governor Monroe?”

  Fletcher rubbed his chin.

  Looking at the other two, Caden said, “I think Durant will try federal marshals or FBI first, but if that doesn’t work he’ll try with military backup.”

  “That doesn’t mean they’ll come through here,” Brooks said shaking his head.

  “That’s right, Hansen is an out of the way hick town and so far that has been our salvation. Let’s hope it continues but…” Caden traced the route of the highway along the map, “there are only a few mountain passes and Hansen is on the highway to one of them.”

  Brooks and Fletcher nodded.

  Walking over to the state map on the wall, Caden pointed to the joint base north of Olympia. “If I were planning the attack for Durant, I’d want to ensure this huge Army base is with me or eliminated as a threat. Then I’d head south from there to arrest Monroe and control the capital.”