American Meltdown: Book Two of The Economic Collapse Chronicles

by Goodwin, Mark

  Allen Jefferson said, “You are a man of wisdom, Sonny. Paul is very blessed to have had your counsel over the past few years. We are all fortunate to have you advising us.

  “I’ll formalize my military recommendations and send them around to all the states. They can ratify as is or modify them to the specific state’s needs.”

  Larry stated, “Texas will adopt your recommendations as soon as they are formalized. We should start the initial buildups on the borders within the hour.”

  Paul Randall added, “I’ll put together a recommendation for the states to begin drafting their individual punishments for treason and spying. The only guidance I’ll give is that they should be sufficiently harsh to effectively deter such activities.”

  The men concluded their meeting to begin their individual tasks.

  CHAPTER 32

  “The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive.”

  -Thomas Jefferson

  Matt heard Adam’s truck driving over the gravel and walked up to the drive to meet him early Wednesday morning.

  “You’re already up and at ‘em?” Adam asked.

  “I don’t want everyone around here knowing I’m a city boy. Gotta get up early to keep my cover intact,” Matt joked. “Something got one of my chickens last night.”

  “Let’s have a look at your coop,” Adam said. “That thing is in shambles. You need to build a new one.”

  The two men walked towards Matt’s chicken coop.

  “I spoke with Franklin early this morning,” Adam said as they walked. “General Jefferson has made recommendations for all the Coalition states to start patrols on the borders.”

  “Okay,” Matt said. He wasn’t prepared to hear this. He knew about the attack on Pastor Robinson’s compound and assumed something like this would be coming. Everything was happening too fast.

  Adam continued, “London Company has been assigned to the Virginia border. We’ll be maintaining a checkpoint on State Road 421. We’ll be rotating with Manchester Company; one week on, one week off.”

  “Alright,” Matt said. He wondered how serious it was, but didn’t feel right asking. He felt he should just do his duty and not voice his concerns. All the things Adam had been through, this probably wasn’t a very big deal for him, but to Matt, this meant he would be responsible for defending a line with his life. He was up for it, just not excited about it.

  Adam paused when they got to the chicken coop and looked around. “This is where they are getting in.” Adam pointed to a tunnel under the wood. “Probably a coon. You need to put in a floor or do something to keep predators from being able to tunnel under the wall and into the coop.”

  They filled in the hole. Matt said he would set a trap later for when the critter returned.

  On the way back to the house Adam explained a bit more of his thoughts about the mission. “I wish I could tell you what to expect, but I don’t know. Virginia is heavily contested territory. There are a lot of folks on the extreme left, and a lot of folks on the extreme right. For now, it seems like Howe is focusing on disrupting the flow of trade and supplies between Texas and the Northwest states. That’s good for us, but who knows how long until he turns his attention toward Kentucky and the rest of the Southern Coalition.

  “421 is a country road. I doubt we’ll get hit with a massive troop movement, but we could get called to back up Tennessee if they get hit from I-81. That’s all mountains as well. Federal military hates moving through mountains. They still have a bad taste in their mouth from Afghanistan. The military mostly used private contractors to move stuff through the mountains. They avoid it at all costs.

  “That being said, Howe has no reputation for acting rationally, so there is really no telling what he might do. It’s like we got our own personal Kim Jong. If they try to hit us in the mountains though, we’ll crush them.

  “We’re going to be responsible for deciding who comes across the border. Virginians who want to join the Coalition are going to be required to volunteer for military service.

  “Folks who chose to leave won’t be allowed to return. It’s a one-way ticket. Same thing coming in. One way, no turning back. I suspect they will shut the border permanently in a couple of weeks.”

  The explanation made Matt feel better. He was glad Adam had volunteered to tell him. Matt did not look forward to telling Karen. She was not going to take this well at all.

  CHAPTER 33

  “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”

  -Thomas Jefferson

  Pastor Robinson finished the memorial service for the fallen militia men at Young Field. Several of the men had died. Many more were wounded. The wounded had been taken to the hospital in Boise.

  After the service, Pastor John and Albert Rust walked over to Will Pender’s camper. Pastor John said, “Will held on for a few hours after he was hit, but eventually expired. Will told me that he wanted everything he owned to go to the church. Will had a nice camper with a full-size bed and another sleeping area that could be made by folding down the kitchenette table and pulling out the bench. What would you think about putting a couple of the men who defected in Will’s camper?”

  Albert thought for a moment before responding. “Those guys who defected had nothing but the clothes on their backs, so they would be very well served by utilizing the camper. I think we should try to select two guys that were close to Will’s size. He was a big burly fellow. This way whoever we put in there could also wear Will’s clothes.”

  When they arrived, they straightened up the camper and took a few personal items to distribute according to Will’s last requests.

  Albert and Pastor John selected two young soldiers to put in Will’s camper. Harry Wilder from Oklahoma and Oliver Stillwell from upstate New York.

  As the two soldiers were settling in, Harry said, “Like the other defectors, we’re dead set against what the government is doing. We came to the party a bit late, but like folks all over America, we’re finally waking up to the tyranny that’s quickly growing out of control. We signed up to defend America against threats foreign and domestic.”

  Oliver added, “We bought the lie being told by the White House and the puppet media for years.”

  Pastor John patted Oliver on the back. “At the last minute, you did the right thing. All of you defectors risked being shot by both sides to cross that line. I know it was hard watching your friends being shot before they hit the other side.”

  After Pastor John got the two soldiers moved in, Ron White came to give him an update on the burials. Ron said, “The ground is frozen and it makes for hard digging, even with the backhoe. The graves for the militia members are being dug to a depth of four feet. Fuel is a limited resource and it has to be conserved. Manually digging enough graves would have been impossible to accomplish in a timely manner. The freezing air is buying us a little time as it keeps the corpses from decaying. I guess it’s the next best thing since there is no embalming services available.

  “The enemy soldiers were buried in a mass grave away from the camp. They were stripped of all useful items before being disposed of. We took all of their body armor, weapons, ammunition, radios, boots, assault packs and state-of-the-art optics.”

  Pastor John nodded his approval. “All of these items can go to the militia members who are being assigned to secure the Southern Idaho Border.”

  Pastor John and Ron continued talking about the other business of Young Field.

  CHAPTER 34

  “Even peace may be purchased at too high a price.”

  -Benjamin Franklin

  Paul Randall picked up the phone to call North Dakota Governor Mickey Abrams. “You have to quit dragging your feet and put this to a vote with your state legislature. South Dakota is waiting to see what you do. They don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb with borders on three sides to defend.”

  Mickey replied,
“You have to understand Paul, the Marines have already built up defenses around Minot. Howe has no intention of letting you have Minot Air Force Base. That is the last ICBM site still under D.C.’s command. Siding with the Coalition will make North Dakota a war zone.”

  Paul said angrily, “Then get in the cattle car and go die in peace, Mickey. Do you think being passive will save you from a violent end? North Dakota will be a battle zone. The only question is which side you’ll be on. You’ll either be a border state of the Coalition or you’ll be a border state of the Federal States. If you choose the latter, know that Howe will use your state as a launch platform for attacks against the Coalition.”

  Mickey said, “Paul, we do not have the manpower to hold the borders, even if we could take Minot.”

  Paul responded, “I’ll promise you all the support of the Coalition in taking Minot Air Force Base. It’s a strategic base. Besides the ICBMs, Minot houses a large cache of nuclear warheads and a fleet of B-52Hs that can make delivery of those weapons.

  “As far as holding the borders, you’ll only have your eastern border to defend if you join. South Dakota will follow your lead. Montana will have no borders with the Federal States if you join the Coalition. I’ll broker a deal to have Montana’s militia and National Guard assist you in securing your eastern border if you’ll sign on. They’ll assist upon your invitation and leave when you ask. What more can you ask for? Do you think Howe is going to make you a deal like that?”

  Mickey said, “Paul, we support what you are doing. I don’t want a deal from Howe. I am just trying to do what is best for my state.”

  Paul said, “If you want to do what is best for your state, then present my deal to your legislature. Get it on the floor tonight and let me know before I go to bed so General Jefferson can start positioning assets to evict the Federal forces from Minot. Either way, North Dakota is going to be a battlefield. You just have to decide what side of history you want to be on, Mickey.”

  Mickey Abrams agreed to take the proposal to the North Dakota House of Representatives and call an emergency session.

  As soon as Paul hung up, his phone rang again. Paul recognized the number. “Ryan! How are you, son?”

  “I’m working hard, Dad,” Ryan replied. “Boot camp was rough, but I did a lot better than most of the guys. I have you to thank for that. All of the outdoor activities and chores on the ranch paid off I guess.”

  “I hear you already started pilot training.” Paul was proud of his son.

  “Yes, I think someone pulled some strings and got me bumped up,” Ryan said. “All the guys in my class were riding me about it.”

  “I had nothing to do with it,” Paul replied. “Allen Jefferson knows your character and he may have given some specific directions, but the military is his department and there is nothing I can do. Besides, your mom would kill me if she knew I was doing anything to get you in the air faster.”

  Ryan asked somberly, “How is Mom?”

  “She has good days and bad days,” Paul said. “She misses you. She is proud of you, but she doesn’t want to lose you, too. She misses your brother a lot. We all miss Robert, but you not being here makes her miss him that much more.”

  Ryan said, “I’m doing what I have to do, Dad.”

  “I know it, Son,” Paul Randall replied. “Your mom knows it, too. Nobody thinks you should be anywhere other than where you are. We just miss you. I know the Air National Guard is tough, especially when you’re first starting out, but try to call Mom once in a while. It’ll do her good.”

  “I will,” Ryan said. “I guess it reminds me that Robert is gone when I call. I’m not hiding my pain in my training, it’s just keeping me busy; keeping me focused. We were twins, we did everything together our whole lives. I don’t feel like a complete person without him.”

  Paul Randall could hear his son start to sob. Tears began running down his own face as well. It had only been three months since his son had been murdered by the kill team sent to assassinate Paul.

  Ryan said, “I am doing this for him.” He paused as he regained his composure. “I’ll call a little more often. Tell Mom I’ll call every Sunday.”

  “We would like that very much, Ryan,” Paul said.

  Paul hung up and went back to work, trying to get more support for the Coalition.

  CHAPTER 35

  “Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”

  -Benjamin Franklin

  Anthony Howe was getting settled in at his new fortress just north of Tupper Lake, New York. He thought to himself, I love this part of the country. It’s close enough to Albany to still get in touch with my friends that supplied my questionable entertainment habits when I lived in the Governor’s Mansion. I like to have a good time, but this is about garnering a friendship with the private security team.

  The men Scott Hale had found to watch the President were among the most ruthless in the industry. Prior to his arrival, Scott told Howe, “Raven Thorn is at the apex of private military contractors. The Pentagon and CIA have used these men for every type of unsavory mission in the book. Whenever it was imperative that no US footprint be left behind, these were the mercenaries that incited the riots, kidnapped the heir or planted the evidence. Likewise, they take care of reporters and whistle-blowers who don’t know when to shut up. Their dark craft has been behind many car accidents, heart attacks and apparent suicides that we read about in the headlines.”

  After a week of keeping the men well entertained when they were off-duty, Howe finally tipped his hand to Darren King, the CEO and company commander of Raven Thorn. Darren was a beast of a man. He was 6 foot 4 inches with a bald head. He was well over 300 pounds, and all muscle. While he looked like a mafia enforcer, he spoke very eloquently and was highly educated.

  “Darren,” Howe began, “Your country is very indebted to all you have done to keep America safe. I would assume that I can always count on your loyalty?”

  “Mr. President,” King replied, “America is our best client and we consider our fiduciary duties in that relationship to go beyond what most would call loyal. Trust has always been our highest priority.”

  Howe looked straight into Darren’s eyes and said, “We have an issue within our government. It is a conspiracy that has penetrated the very fabric of our government. I’m not talking about Paul Randall and the Coalition secession. I am speaking of someone in our own ranks that is trying to undermine my administration. We have a mole that has access to very high level information and is abusing that information for his own gain. Because of this man’s previous position, we cannot prosecute him under normal procedures. The scandal would be more than the American people would be able to bear. The best course of action would be to remove him quietly.”

  “How can Raven Thorn help, Mr. President?” Darren asked.

  “I’m glad you asked.” The President smiled.

  Anthony Howe took out a picture of Mustafa Al Mohammad and showed it to Darren King. Darren looked at the picture and then looked away. Howe took out a lighter and lit the picture and let it burn in the ashtray. Darren took out a pen and wrote on a cocktail napkin. He picked it up and showed it to Howe. It was a number. He had written 25 M.

  Howe was shocked. His thoughts raced. Is he asking for $25 million dollars? I knew it wouldn’t be pro bono, but I had never anticipated such an astronomical number.

  He carefully kept his expression neutral as he nodded in agreement. At this point, it could just as easily be blackmail money against Howe himself. Howe had taken a huge risk trying to put this together, but he had to get Al Mohammad out of the picture. He had become an unbearable pain in the neck.

  No matter, Howe thought. $25 Million isn’t going to bankrupt me, but I don’t like the idea of spending that much. This isn’t coming out of my pocket. I could fund the operation through black box spending allocated for CIA and NSA spending. That money is tossed around pretty loosely and no one really knows where it all ends up. Perhaps the most efficient
method of payment would be to double their regular fees for ongoing operations. Darren would certainly appreciate the need to keep the funds transfer as discreet as possible.

  Howe said to Darren, “We can discuss payment details at a later date. For now, we have an agreement and nothing else needs to be discussed. I don’t need to know any of the gory details. In fact, the less I know, the better.”

  Darren nodded without saying a word. Knowing Raven Thorn’s reputation, Mustafa’s death should appear completely natural. Foul play should never even be considered.

  CHAPTER 36

  “For a people who are free, and who mean to remain so, a well-organized and armed militia is their best security.”

  -Thomas Jefferson

  Matt only had two more days to finish his week of guard duty on State Road 421 coming into Kentucky from Virginia. The militia outpost was set up on a side road that turned south off 421 right at the border, just feet away from a sign that said “Welcome to Virginia.” The gravel road led to three farms.

  On the corner of 421 and the gravel road was a small farm house where a gentleman repaired trucks out of his garage. He was kind and helpful to the militia and offered to let them use his water and even gave them access to the repair shop in case they needed to get out of the rain.

  The side road made a convenient turnaround point for folks who arrived at the checkpoint. Folks who didn’t have adequate documents to cross the border were turned around and sent back to Virginia. People who didn’t wish to stay in Kentucky or leave permanently once they crossed, had the opportunity to return the way they came.