I’d spent my time helping to return the nation to stability and restoring the democratic government that had been gutted by Cruz and the other conspirators. It was surreal to return to sleeping in my old rooms and spending my days in White House meetings. I wasn’t the same person I had been back then, and I didn’t even pretend to be. I didn’t wear my leathers every day, but I didn’t change my hair or stop inking my face either.
Several of the other nations had stepped forward to offer assistance as soon it was clear that Cruz was out. Apparently they had tried to help earlier, only to be coldly rebuffed by Cruz. Under the conditions of the peace accords, they had to step back and watch as he continued down his destructive path. But with his removal from power, they offered assistance again, and Tindel and I gladly accepted on behalf of the NAA.
The two of us worked together to fill the role of President and jointly run the government. Our goal was to return everything to its proper state, but we were hampered by the loss of so many government officials.
We began by locating the most loyal supporters of my father’s administration. They were fairly easy to identify—they were the ones in jail. Markham had confessed to helping Cruz eliminate his political opponents. Those congress people and others who’d publicly opposed Cruz had often disappeared from their homes or offices without a trace. Now Markham admitted that she had used a special squad of police officers to kidnap those opponents. They had all been locked away in a high-security section of the federal penitentiary where they wouldn’t be discovered.
We released the wrongfully-imprisoned citizens, but the cells didn’t stay empty long. Markham and her special squad replaced the previous occupants of those cells.
Cruz had a very special isolation cell of his own in that block. Completely cut off from electronics and outside contact, he spent his days screaming insults and threats at imaginary companions. It was impossible to reconcile Cruz the dictator and raving lunatic with the loving uncle of my childhood, and eventually I stopped trying. I remembered my Uncle Cruz as he had been and disconnected my feelings for that man from the rage I felt at the man he had become. The Cruz who had killed my father and wreaked havoc on the country was no one I knew, so I forced myself to walk away and leave him to his punishment.
Once released and recovered from the poor treatment they’d received, some of the congress people were anxious to jump back in and do what they could to restore order. Others were broken by the experience and quietly retired. Those people had to be replaced. Tindel and I were both determined not to remain in the job of President long-term, so a leader for the country had to be found.
We worked with representatives from several nations to set up and supervise the elections. We needed the help, and we also wanted to leave no doubt in the eyes of the world that this had been a free election.
Four months after Cruz was overthrown, we held national elections for thirty-seven congress members, fifty-three representatives, and almost 200 other officials from all levels of government.
And, of course, a new president and vice-president were up for vote. Four teams of prospective leaders had put themselves forward for the jobs. Rather than winnow it down through party lines and primary elections, we had decided to just let all the candidates present themselves and their qualifications. From there we asked the citizens of the NAA to make their choice.
In the end, I was very happy when Serafine Dreaux was elected as the nation’s new president, with former political rival turned staunch ally Curtis Lee as her vice-president. I had known them both for years and liked them very much. I felt confident that they would do their best, and that I was leaving the country in good hands. Reinforcing my opinion, Roomie liked them both.
During the two months that I spent helping the new leaders get up to speed with all the ins and outs of the government—including detailed tours of the hidden hallways in the White House—Roomie was just as likely to shove his way into Serafine’s lap as my own, and Curtis made a habit of keeping a pack of cat treats in his coat pocket at all times.
I heard the chime announcing the train’s imminent departure, and my heart raced with anticipation. I was anxious to step out of the limelight and return home. A surge of g-forces pressed me back into my seat as the train shot into the tunnels.
Only a few minutes later, the chime sounded again. A few other passengers murmured in confusion when the “Denver Station” announcement came over the speakers. There hadn’t been a passenger stop at this station in decades.
My body pressed forward against the restraints as the train came to a swift, smooth halt. I pushed the button to release the belts and jumped to my feet. I unlatched Roomie’s safety belt, and he and I practically ran up the aisle to the exit as the door opened before us.
I stepped onto a newly rehabbed passenger platform in the empty lobby. Lucas and Sharra were waiting for me, and I beamed with joy as I ran toward them.
I was home.
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About the Author
After writing stories in her head for the last 30+ years, Tara finally decided to take a stab at writing them down to share them with others.
Tara has a husband, 4 kids, and 4 cats to care for along with a full-time job, so finding time to write is the biggest challenge. Since her most productive hours are from 12-5 a.m. anyway, Tara often gives up sleep for the sake of a good story.
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Copyright © 2017 by T.D. Shields
Published by Aelurus Publishing
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
ISBN: 978-0-9957397-4-1
Into Light (Shadow and Light Book 2) Page 20