Paths of Righteousness

by Ryan King

  Billy Fox, Susan, and Jasper rode up to them and joined the duo in watching the last of the crossing.

  "What's going to happen to them?" asked Susan.

  "Not sure," Nathan answered, "but it can't be worse than what would have happened if they stayed in the north."

  "Seemed like they had a good setup there in the forest," Jasper said. "They had shelter, coal, and lots of acorns."

  "Yes, but they had no way to defend it," said Nathan. "It was only a matter of time before some predatory group came along and killed, raped, and enslaved them."

  "You seem to have a fairly pessimistic view of your fellow man," observed Susan. "Not everything has to be decided by gunfire, at least not in a civilized society."

  Nathan turned to her and his face became unusually hard. He had seen too much on the road from the Chesapeake to west Kentucky. "A hundred years from now the descendants of those who stockpiled guns and ammo and fought for what was theirs will be kings and queens. Those that believe in the good will of man, and trust in governments and other people to protect them will be serfs toiling in the fields for those kings and queens, if they survive at all. Which would you prefer your great-grandchildren be?"

  "I'd prefer they be free," said Billy Fox.

  "So would I," answered Nathan, "but freedom isn't a natural state. It is in man's nature to enslave. Resistance is the key to freedom."

  "Here comes Ernest Givens," said Joshua in an obvious attempt to break the tension.

  The weary soldier walked up to them and produced a weak smile. "Looks like it's almost done."

  "What now?" asked Jasper.

  Givens shrugged. "We rest and then we start walking southwest back into the JP."

  "What do you mean we?" asked Nathan. "You're a soldier of New Harvest."

  "Not anymore," answered Givens. "I'm going to stay with these people and do what I can to help them."

  "If Ethan's men catch you, they kill you," observed Joshua.

  "And besides, walking away is not an option," Nathan said. "New Harvest needs you now. What you're proposing is desertion. You could be court martialed and hanged for desertion."

  Givens laid his hand casually on the grip of his assault rifle as a warning to Nathan. "If they can catch me, they're welcome to try."

  "Do you have any idea what is going to happen to these people?" Nathan asked.

  "Some," Givens answered. "A few will get killed, a few will lay down and die, a few more will be captured and tortured or killed by neighbors, but a few will make it home and hide until a better time. When that better time comes around they will emerge."

  "And until then they hide in the ground?" Nathan asked.

  "Oh, no," answered Givens. "We will resist. We will undermine. We will seek to spread our seeds of discord throughout the JP and WTR until everyone rises up. The name of Brazen will be on everyone's lips."

  "Brazen?" said Joshua. "I heard he was crucified."

  Givens nodded. "In full view of all of us. Those that didn't love him did after that. Haven't you heard the people here talk about him? To them he was a saint and a martyr. The people have convinced themselves that he sacrificed himself so they could be saved. Hell, half the people here have already convinced themselves they saw him ascend into heaven."

  "Isanyof it true?" asked Joshua.

  Givens swept his hand back over his shoulder to indicate the huge masses of humanity. "Does it matter? They believe it, and they will make others believe it. Revolutions have been started on less."

  "But why you?" Nathan asked. "You've done your part, more than your part I should say. You can come home now."

  "Home?" asked Givens. "I don't have family in the LBL like you. My family is in Mayfield. Likely suffering and trying not to starve or freeze. I'll go to them. Besides, I'm responsible for these people. At least a little bit longer. I didn't want that responsibility, but what I want or don't want doesn't change reality. Leaving these people would be running from a duty. It would be shameful and something I would regret, I'm afraid."

  Nathan wanted to continue to argue with the man, though he couldn't think of anything else to say. He ended up moving his horse forward and sticking out his hand. "Best of luck to you. I hope you make it."

  "Thanks," answered Givens grasping Nathan's hand. "The same to you."

  They all shook hands and said their farewells. Then Givens and his men walked off toward the giant swell of people and fires.

  "What about us?" asked Billy. "Doesn't sound like we can go through LBL. There's a war going on there and as much as I want to help I'm not going to lead my people into bloodshed."

  "I understand," said Nathan. "The lands to the east are now allied with New Harvest. They might be willing to let you pass south into Tennessee. I can't promise you there won't be fighting once you get there though."

  "We understand," said Billy. "A time for fighting will come, but I want it to be for our land and not because we are caught up in something that does not concern us. This is your fight, not ours."

  A slow rush of anger built up in Nathan, and Billy watched him impassively as if he could read his mind.Would I feel any differently? Nathan wondered. He took a deep breath and pushed his emotion aside.

  "All right then," Nathan finally said. "Let's go talk to those men over there watching us nervously. I bet they can help us."

  Billy Fox nodded and they both rode their horses together up the nearby hill to talk to the New Harvest allies.

  Chapter 15 - A Final Push

  There was a knock on the ornate wooden door. The intrusion annoyed General Vincent Lacert immensely. "I said I didn't want to be disturbed," he growled loudly. This was the time each day when he enjoyed a glass of Scotch and a cigar.Can't I at least get one hour of peace a day? he wondered.

  "I'm sorry, General," answered his aide opening the door, "but President Schweitzer is here?"

  "Ethan is here?" Vincent said standing.

  "No," Ethan strode into the room, "President Schweitzer is here, your aide had it correct." Several of Ethan's security detail followed him in and took positions around the edge of the room.

  "Well...good to see you, I guess," said Vincent.

  Ethan smiled to make a joke of it and stuck out his hand. "Glad to see you. Sorry for dropping in."

  "No problem," answered Vincent. "Would you like a cigar or Scotch?"

  "I'll take a Scotch with water, thank you."

  Vincent nodded to his aide who was standing in the door. The man crossed to the antique rolling cart, prepared the drink and handed it to Ethan before looking at Vincent questioningly. Vincent shook his head slightly and the man chose a corner of the room to stand in.

  "I wanted to come talk to you about our progress," Ethan glanced around the room. "I didn't expect to find you still in Tennessee. I'm glad I didn't have to travel as far. This is a beautiful home. Looks like it might be from the antebellum period."

  Vincent felt his face redden. "I don't need to be at the front to direct our overall effort. As a matter of fact, being back here allows me to control the entire theater."

  "I see," answered Ethan. "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. As I see it the entire theater consists of that thirty mile wide front that stretches from Lake Barkley to Kentucky Lake. It inches north ever so slowly each day."

  "Indeed it does," answered Vincent wishing he had a map. "We are making progress."

  Ethan sipped of his drink and sat back crossing his legs. "I heard that we almost had a breakthrough of their lines this past week. I am not a military man, but it seems to me that we came close to pushing them into a full-blown retreat."

  Vincent nodded. "You are correct, but don't worry, they'll crack. It's only a matter of time."

  "But you see, good General. Time is the one thing we do not have. Every day we grow short on food. The longer this rebellion continues the less confidence everyone else has in our ability to rule."

  Looking away to hide his annoyance, Vincent noticed the armed men aro
und him and felt a flash of danger. "We're throwing everything we can at them right now. Have faith."

  "Faith?" asked Ethan with a patronizing smile. "I did not get to this position by believing in faith. And I disagree with you general. You are not throwing everything you have at them."

  "We've been over this before," Vincent set his glass down loudly on the table. "If I pull troops from our borders and the western edge of Kentucky Lake, we set ourselves up for a counterattack. Also, who will keep the populace in line? It was you who had me put troops in the towns to crack down and do searches. Remember?"

  "I do remember. And the situation has changed. Counterattack, you say?" said Ethan. "They are ready to crumble, just need a hard enough push. There is no other threat out there and the people will remain in line as long as it looks like we're winning. If this keeps dragging out through the winter, itwon't look like we're winning."

  "Like you said," frowned Vincent, "you're not a military man. I suggest you leave these matters to me and confine yourself to politics or whatever the hell it is you do."

  There was shocked silence in the room.

  Ethan smiled. "I'm afraid I must insist. Keep enough troops along the western edge of Kentucky Lake to prevent them from escaping in our direction, but throw everything else up the peninsula."

  "And what if I don't?" asked Vincent. "You seem to forget that I command an army."

  Leaning in close, Ethan sighed. "You command an army for now. Only because I gave you that command and the fact that you are useful to me. Please do not make the mistake of ending your usefulness."

  "I captured and debriefed those men you sent to blow up the dam," Vincent said suddenly.

  Ethan shifted away and sat back in his chair. "It was a worthwhile gamble."

  "It was foolish," answered Vincent angrily, "and I should have known about it. We're going to need that dam."

  "The dam is dangerous. Best if it's gone."

  "What about the backpack nuke?" asked Vincent. "Is it best that it's gone too?"

  "What do you mean?" asked Ethan.

  Vincent smirked, picked up his glass and took a sip savoring the moment. "Those men escaped, but not with the nuke."

  "It's out there somewhere?" Ethana look of concern in his face--describe the look--don't tell us what it is--let us figure it out.

  Vincent nodded. "For all we know it's in the hands of the rebels. They could use it against us."

  "They won't," answered Ethan. "They don't have the will or the stomach. It will be hidden away somewhere and we'll recover it when we crush the rebellion."

  "You can't know that."

  "Push north," said Ethan sternly. "Take the dam, crush the rebellion. Make an example out of them and get the nuke back. That's all you need to concern yourself with here."

  Vincent frowned. "Let me handle the war."

  "I would," answered Ethan standing, "if you were handling it. You are not."

  The blond man stood, a dangerous look on his face. Two of Ethan's guards moved in close. "You go too far,Ethan. I think you've forgotten what I'm capable of."

  "No," answered the president. "The only reason you're still around is because I know what you're capable of. It's time for you to show everyone. Stop messing around and get the job done. You've never struck me as the hesitant, uncertain type."

  Vincent's face turned red again and his eyes appeared to deepen into an even icier blue.

  Ethan turned away pleased quite with himself. "And for God's sake, move out of this mansion. A military leader should be up close to the front with his troops, not hiding in the rear drinking."

  "Hiding?" Vincent spurted, but Ethan was already through the door and one of his guards closed it off behind them.

  Ethan heard cursing and the smashing of glass coming from inside the room. Pleased, he walked on. Vincent was normally a cool and composed man. Dangerous as a viper, and potentially a threat, he shouldn't be underestimated. Ethan needed to focus the man on a task and ensure he wasn't thinking clearly.

  "Sir," said one of his guards as they walked, "would you like me to deal with him?"

  Ethan didn't answer for several strides. "Not yet. We still need him, but soon. Very soon now."

  They walked out to his motorcade and climbed in. Ethan closed his eyes and lay down on the backseat.

  He felt a headache coming on.

  Chapter 16 - Reunion

  David thought he was being pushed out of the action when he was placed in charge of the dam's defense. Now he understood all the action was coming to him. It reminded him of their battle against General Sampson's forces a year and half before when the structure sustained serious damage...much of it due to David's actions.

  Although General Butch Matthews and Harold Buchanan were now at the dam, they were engrossed in other things and said his responsibilities remained the same. He recognized that wasn't exactly true. Additionally, he was responsible for providing shelter, food, sanitation, medical support, child care, and a host of other services to thousands of civilians who had streamed north fleeing General Vincent Lacert's approaching forces. The interior of the dam was packed full of people and they set up several makeshift camps on the north side of the dam.

  His mother Bethany, Reggie and Janice had moved into his small quarters, and David slept where and when he could which wasn't much. There were constant issues with billeting disputes, rationing, and general anxiety. Everything was in short supply except water, electricity, and worry. David yearned to be on his own out conducting reconnaissance, but Major Luke Carter denied him. Rather forcefully, the last time David brought it up.

  David sat and studied schematics of the dam, looking for any additional location where he could house the never-decreasing flood of people seeking safety.

  "Sir?" the voice was at David's shoulder.

  "Whatever it is," said David without turning around, "deal with it or let it wait. I'm busy right now."

  The soldier didn't leave. "Sir, I really think you need to follow me."

  David spun in the swivel chair to face the soldier. "Okay, what it is."

  "Some of the Livingston County boys to our north," stammered the soldier. "You know the ones we give electricity in return for –"

  "Yes, I know," said David, "our allies. They watch our northern boundary so we don't have to. What about them?"

  "Well, they're up top and they'd like to speak to you. Say that a large group of people just crossed the Ohio River from the north."

  David stood. "How the hell did they do that?"

  "Seems they built some kind of bridge out of logs."

  "Not all the way across the Ohio they didn't," David said.

  "They also said most of the folks who crossed went west into the JP. Another smaller group they're allowing to go east and down into Tennessee. Says they're an Indian tribe or something."

  "What? Did these men seem drunk to you?"

  "No sir. Got three prisoners too," the soldier says. "Suspicious. Says they're from here. Keep asking to speak to someone in charge. The stocky mouthy one wore a brand on his hand showing he was an exile."

  David stopped breathing.

  "Sir, you okay? You just got all white."

  "Where are they at?" David asked with a voice that seemed a thousand miles away.

  "Up top, last I saw them. They've been disarmed and are under guard so there's no need to worry about them."

  David began walking. "Go get my mother. Bring her up to where the men are."

  "Your mother?" the soldier stood there.

  "Do as I say," David took the stairs slowly trying to calm the beating of his heart. David prayed it was him, though he wanted to protect himself against disappointment.

  Climbing up the stairs and into the open air, he heard his father's voice first. It wasn't happy.

  "All I ask is that you go get someone who can vouch for me," said Nathan.

  "My sergeant is going to inform someone now," the guard said.

  "How about Harold Buchanan or
Butch Matthews?" Nathan asked.

  The soldier scoffed. "We're not in the habit of running to fetch the big bosses just because some vagabond shows up out of nowhere talking about how important he is."

  David rounded the corner and froze. There was his father, older, greyer, but alive. Joshua was with him. He sensed that something serious had happened. His brother stood quietly, but he seemed to wear a cloak of melancholy that did not fit him properly. Behind them both was a clearly exhausted, stooped old man with long white hair and beard.

  Nathan and David locked eyes. He surprised the guards by rushing past them toward his son. David met him in an embrace that almost took them both to the ground.

  "Holy shit," said a soldier. "It really is Nathan Taylor."

  David saw that his father was crying. After all their hardships, close calls and suffering, he couldn't ever remember his father shedding tears for anything.

  "Nathan?" a soft hesitant voice came from behind them. They both turned to Bethany.

  She looked at them and then tottered before reaching out with a hand toward the rail to steady herself.

  Rushing forward, Nathan grasped her and held her close. She kept touching him on the arm and face.

  "It really is you," she whispered.

  "It really is me," Nathan smiled and kissed her face, crying, and laughing at the same time.

  David was watching all of this and was surprised by firm hands grasping him and turning him around. Before he knew what was happening Joshua was hugging him tightly. After a moment's hesitation, David returned the embrace.

  "I didn't think I was really going to make it back," Joshua whispered. "I thought I was going to die out there. It seemed wrong to imagine I might get to see my family again."

  "But you're here," said David. "You've come back."

  "I'm glad," Joshua slapped his brother's back.

  "So am I," David realized he meant it.

  There was a sort of commotion near his father and mother as Reggie and Janice patted them and others crowded in close. They evidently either knew his father or were simply happy for his return.

  One face caught his attention as it materialized out of the crowd. Raven-haired and beautiful. As alive and free as the dawn, Alexandra slowly stepped forward. Her eyes went wide and locked on Joshua, still close to David.