Through Many Fires (Strengthen What Remains)

by Kyle Pratt

  I’ve seen this before. “Governor, you’re in shock. Give me the pistol.”

  The Governor looked down and gripped the pistol tight.

  General Collins directed the lieutenant to the Emergency Operations Center.

  The state treasurer puked on the floor.

  As the smell of blood and vomit filled the cramped compartment Caden reached across to the Governor. “Give the pistol to me, please.” He touched Monroe’s hand. It was cool and clammy. “Just let it go. I’ll take it.” Gently Caden plied the pistol from the governor’s hand.

  Setting the weapon on his lap, Caden leaned back and sighed. It’s going to be a long night.

  For nearly a minute the drone of the engine increased and then became a steady whine.

  Looking up to the turret gunner, General Collins asked, “You see anyone following us, soldier?”

  “No sir.”

  “Keep watch,” the general said, “This isn’t over.”

  “How do you do it, Caden?”

  Caden opened his eyes at the sound of Weston’s voice. “Huh?” He blinked and then focused on the governor’s Chief of Staff sitting across from him.

  Weston repeated the question. “There’s a body on the floor between us. We’ve all been shot at. I feel scared and sick. How do you stay calm?”

  Caden’s mind raced back to his first days in Iraq. “I wasn’t calm the first time…or the second. I was scared…still get scared, but eventually combat becomes….” Unable to find the right words he shrugged, leaned back and closed his eyes.

  A minute later the lieutenant said, “State patrol vehicles and officers in SWAT gear up ahead.”

  The turret gunner yelled, “They’re aiming at us. What should I….”

  “Get down here!” Collins ordered. “Don’t get yourself shot.” He slapped the driver’s shoulder. “Stop.”

  The two generals and the patrol chief exited the back with their hands up. When they were recognized the vehicle was allowed to proceed to the Emergency Operations Center.

  General Harwich ordered the EOC duty officer to report.

  The officer glanced at Governor Monroe’s bloodstained suit then turned back to Harwich. “Sir we tried to contact you and the Governor, but phone lines are down. Soldiers from an unknown unit took control of the switching center about 40 minutes ago. The state patrol reports at least two Stryker vehicles and perhaps a squad of soldiers engaged in street fighting near the waterfront.” He circled the location on the map with his finger.

  General Collins grunted. “Yeah, we can confirm that. Do you have a situation report from JBLM?”

  Pointing to the communications center he said, “Colonel Johnston informed us via the radio that elements of several units have mutinied and he is engaging them.”

  “I’ll need to use your radio,” Collins said and started to walk away.

  Governor Monroe touched his arm. He still looked pale, but seemed to have regained his composure. “The next twenty-four hours will determine the future of this country.” Eyes focused on Collins, he said, “I need you to secure the joint base. If Durant’s forces seize the control of those units, the airfield and equipment, they’ll head this way in force and we won’t be able to stop them. Can you keep control of JBLM?”

  “Yes Governor, I can.” He hurried to the communications area.

  “Looking at General Harwich he said, “Durant has loyal units in Oregon.” He pointed to the freeway heading north from there to the city. “How can we protect this route?”

  “Most of Durant’s support is in the Portland-Salem area. I’ll take the 81st Brigade and 96th Troop Command and secure the border by controlling the bridges.”

  “I want you here advising me. Put someone else in charge of the southern defense.”

  Harwich looked truly disappointed. “Perhaps Major Westmore could command those units?”

  Caden’s jaw dropped. “Ahhh…”

  “No,” Monroe said. He traced his finger along the highway through Hansen. “I’m worried about this route.”

  “It’s a small mountain highway,” Harwich said. “Trucks would have to go slow and the road is easy to block. I wouldn’t use it to attack Olympia.”

  “Still it worries me.” He looked Caden in the eye. “You know this area. If they come that way, stop them.”

  “Yes sir, I will.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Caden wanted to immediately head back to Hansen, but he needed to alert the armory so he joined General Collins at the EOC communications center.

  The general talked over a secure radio link to the joint base. “Hold the airfield and the freeway. I’m convinced that is what they want. I’m going to deal with a couple of units here and then go to JBLM.”

  It took only a minute for Caden to contact someone at the armory using a SINCGARS radio. He didn’t have a secure link so all he said was, “Tell the XO to implement the Hansen route contingency plan. I’m leaving for there right now.” He cringed, thinking he had said more than he should over an unsecure radio, but there was no taking it back. “Out.”

  Within minutes Caden raced down a nearly empty freeway. Once he left Olympia, trees lined much of the now deserted highway. Six lanes of emptiness. It was times like this, sealed in a car, surrounded by darkness, that doubts pressed in on him. In just a few hours I could be fighting units of the most powerful military in the world. What are my chances of living through this day?

  Becky had asked him to join her on Durant’s team. She believed they would have been a powerful, and well-off, couple. Visions of state dinners, meetings with world leaders and living large in D.C. with Becky at his side, filled his head.

  Those thoughts were gradually replaced by images of Hansen, the farm and family. Family. His thoughts turned to Maria and Adam. It may not be official, but they are family just the same. Even though he tried to put the small town of his youth behind him, the values of that place had become a part of him. He could never abandon it, or Maria and Adam. There must be a way to protect my family, my home and my country.

  The speedometer inched toward ninety. He slowed only as he went up the ramp to Hansen. On the far side of the overpass, soldiers stood guard behind sandbags. Two-by-fours had been fashioned into a checkpoint gate. Several military vehicles were parked in the convenience store lot and, for the first time since he had been back, lights illuminated the church. He came to a stop at the gate.

  The soldier immediately recognized him and saluted. “Welcome home, sir. I hear we might be fighting soon.”

  “Pray we don’t,” Caden replied. “What’s going on at the church?”

  “Cleaning and repairs, sir,” the soldier said as they raised the gate.

  Restoration and destruction, serenity and conflict, how often have I seen them side-by-side? He drove on into the night. The blockade at the far end of the causeway was gone and the bulldozers moved up the hill. Farther along the highway he saw a faint light flickered in the darkness and wondered if it came from the Westmore farm. He turned down the narrow road and to the family home.

  The barn door hung open, swaying gently in night breeze. A weak light came from inside. His father stepped out, followed by the puppy.

  Caden noticed a holster on his father’s hip. Stepping from the car he said, “I had planned to go straight to the armory, but saw the light on.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see you, but I guess I should have shut the door. I forgot how far you can see a light out here at night.”

  Caden nodded and together they walked back to the barn. “What are you working on?”

  “The old Deere tractor. The carburetor is gummed up.” He shook his head. “I think it’s the new ethanol gas.” Picking up a wrench, he returned to his work.

  “Dad, I think there may be fighting around Hansen in the morning.” Caden felt like a child telling his father he had done something wrong.

  Trevor sighed, dropped the tool on the bench and sat on a bale of hay looking at his son. “I kne
w this day would come. I hoped it wouldn’t reach our town, but I knew the conflict was coming.”

  “Really?” He told his father the events at the restaurant and what Governor Monroe had asked him to do. “I shouldn’t have even stopped here. I’ve need to get to the armory. ”

  The older man hugged his son. “Go on. Do your duty. We’ll be fine.” Tears welled in his eyes. “Now go. You’ve got a lot to do.”

  “Tell Maria and Mom…everyone, I love them.”

  “You’ll see Maria soon.”

  He smiled at his dad’s vote of confidence and left before his own tears came.

  Every light seemed to be on at the armory. Again he was stopped at the gate, but quickly allowed to pass. Several trucks idled as soldiers climbed on. Walking across the parking lot he noticed a familiar face. “Lisa?” She stood at a table passing out coffee and MRE’s to soldiers loading onto the trucks.

  “Hi brother, would you like some coffee?”

  “No. What are you doing here?”

  “Helping out.”

  “I see that, I mean….”

  She laughed. “I know what you mean.” Still handing out coffee she said, “David was at our house eating dinner when the armory called. I drove him back and stayed to help. Maria is here too.” She pointed.

  “Maria?”

  She carried a box of MREs and at the sound of her name their eyes met. She smiled, put down the box and raced into his arms.

  He didn’t know what to say so he just held her for a moment. “I’m glad to see you, but you need to go somewhere safe.”

  “Where would that be?”

  He had no answer.

  “When you leave with the soldiers, Lisa and I will go back to the farm.”

  He nodded and then as if by mutual agreement, they kissed. The warmth of her lips enveloped him and he knew as long as she was with him, he would be happy. Stepping back, his eyes lingered on her. “I’ve got to go.”

  “I know.”

  Caden hurried into the armory and found the XO, First Sergeant Fletcher and the squad leaders in the small office area. “What’s our status?”

  “Three of our soldiers are in position at the pass east of town,” Brooks said. “However, fog is limiting visibility. Hopefully it will lift in time. We’re in radio contact and….”

  Caden shook his head. “When we’re done here, send one man down the far side of the pass. They can relay any contacts to the scouts at the summit.”

  “Yes sir. The squad leaders have done the pre-combat inspection. Will the MOPP level be zero?”

  Chemical, biological warfare? I sure hope there’s none. “Yes, zero.”

  “Then the men will be ready to go in thirty minutes.”

  “Good.” Caden glanced at his watch, it was just after midnight. “If they’re coming this way we should know before dawn.” He left to pack his combat gear. When he returned Brooks, a sergeant and a corporal were in the office.

  “We’re ready to move out.” Brooks said, “These two will be staying here to relay situation reports to….”

  The radio crackled. “Base this is Recon 1. Forward position reports 18 vehicles, jeeps, Humvees and deuce and a half trucks moving west toward the pass.” The transmission paused. “Forward position reports they are under fire.”

  Caden took the mic and said, “Recon 1, the convoy may be listening in on your transmissions. Proceed to position 2 immediately. Over.”

  “Roger Base. Out.”

  We’ve lost the pass without a shot. That was our best chance to stop them. He relayed the report to the operations center and advised JBLM would need to secure the North Road. Then he turned to Brooks. “Deploy the troops to the fallback position.”

  “The causeway? But….”

  “We’ve discussed this. Do you have a better plan?”

  Brooks shook his head.

  “Then deploy the men along the west bank of the causeway. If Durant’s forces push it they could be here in a little over an hour.” He picked up the phone and dialed 911. “This is Major Westmore, inform Sheriff Hoover that in just over an hour a large military convoy will move through town. I recommend everyone stay inside and allow them to pass through.” Moments later Caden’s phone rang.

  “Well, Mr. Military.”

  “Hello Sheriff.”

  “I thought you were going to head them off at the pass. What happened?”

  “It doesn’t matter. We won’t fight them in the town. Just let them pass through. That’s all I can say. I’ve got to go.” He turned to Brooks. “Everyone leaves the armory. Move out.”

  It took well over an hour for the convoy to reach recon position 2 at the east edge of town. The two remaining scouts fell back to position 3, a jumble of blackberry bushes along a stream near the turn off to the Westmore farm. Hours later the scouts still reported no contact.

  In the pre-dawn darkness Caden looked through his binoculars from position 3. He could barely see a group of Humvees on the west edge of Hansen. The damp and cold made him shiver. “They’ve been there for hours. Why haven’t they made a move?”

  The question had been rhetorical, but one of the privates beside him shrugged.

  As they continued to watch the convoy the red-haired boy and girl Caden had seen so often in the area strolled across the field to the stream carrying fish traps.

  Caden froze.

  The teens moved along the bank for a while, and then put their traps in the water just twenty yards from recon position. The two sat idly nearby looking in the direction of the trucks. Go home kids. But there was no way to communicate the message without exposing his position.

  Caden pulled out his radio. “CW returning to unit.” Looking at the scouts he whispered, “Keep watch on the convoy. When they move out, alert us.” Crouching, he headed back around the corner and then on to his jeep. As he climbed in the vehicle he felt the vibration of his phone. “Hello?”

  “Hey, you know who this is.”

  “Yes.” He recognized Hoover’s voice.

  “I’m guessing things aren’t going according to your plan. Most of the convoy is parked at the city limit.”

  Thank you for calling and telling me what I already know. “I thought they would just drive straight through town. I’m not sure why they stopped.”

  “The commander asked me if there was another way around the lake. He even looked at my maps. I think they know you’re waiting for them and they’re looking for another route.”

  “There isn’t another way,” Caden said flatly. “Is there?”

  “Nope. Not unless these guys are amphibious or they want to build a bridge.”

  “Good, but we shouldn’t talk. They could be monitoring your phone.”

  “Actually they’re working to take down the phone system. Good luck, Mr. Military.”

  Caden parked his jeep well up the hill from the lake and walked down toward the shore. His unit was dug in along the tree line on both sides of the road. Several yards up the highway two huge Douglas firs had been cut down blocking it and several more trees were notched and primed with C4.

  Walking among the sixty soldiers under his command, Caden confirmed that they were well concealed and then climbed into his foxhole and waited. He placed a few more sandbags along the edge and moved the biggest rocks he could find to the front. My orders were to stop Durant’s forces from getting through to Olympia and, at the moment, I’ve done that. He looked up at the still dark sky, anxious for dawn.

  With a crackle the radio came to life. “Forces deployed west of Hansen this is the U.S. Army convoy commander. I’m coming forward under a white flag in a single Humvee with a driver. I want to talk. I propose we meet on the causeway. Do you copy?”

  The voice sounded oddly familiar.

  Brooks raced along the tree line to Caden’s position. “It’s not safe, don’t do it.”

  “Being here isn’t safe. Meeting him is no worse and buys us more time. If I have to, I’d rather fight them in daylight.” Into the r
adio he said, “Copy. I’ll meet you there.” To a nearby private he said, “You’re my driver.”

  As Caden and the soldier walked up the slope, Recon 3 reported a single Humvee moving along the highway.

  The driver rummaged through the first-aid kit, setting the green bandages aside and retrieved some long white gauze. He then tied it like a streamer to the antenna at the rear of the jeep. Together they headed slowly down to the edge of the lake. The other vehicle was already on the far side. The drivers moved deliberately along the road toward each other.

  Roughly in the middle they stopped and the convoy commander walked to the front of the Humvee. Caden stepped around the front of the jeep. As they neared, he recognized the man he had first met at a blockade on the Georgia border, the officer who had helped him from the pit of despair and convinced Maria to get on the plane when they all flew to Washington state. “Hello, Lieutenant Turner. How are you doing?”

  “Actually its Captain now.” The man looked at him carefully. “Caden? I thought you were a civilian.”

  “So did I,” he grinned. “Well, congratulations on the promotion, but I can’t say that I’m happy to see you here.” Caden wanted to draw out the conversation so he said, “I thought they sent you to Korea.”

  “It never happened. The Defense Department is pulling troops out of there and Japan.”

  “Are you still able to get letters from your wife?”

  “Yeah,” he smiled, “the post office is functioning.” Then the humor drained from his face. “I have orders from the Commander-in-chief to assist with the arrest of Governor Monroe….”

  “I no longer recognize the orders of President Durant.”

  “I don’t want to fight you, but if you block the convoy, I will. It will be bloody for both of us.”

  Caden nodded.

  Turner looked frustrated. “A lot of good men will die today.”

  “I know that. Don’t attack. Durant wasn’t elected and what he is doing is unconstitutional and violates everything that….”

  Turner threw up his hand. “That’s treason and I won’t hear it. I’m going back to my convoy and you should return to your rebels.”