“Nope, not him.”
“Thank goodness. So who is it that you don’t think should take over?”
“Me.”
“What?” she said shocked. She looked at his face to see if he was kidding but could tell immediately he wasn’t.
“Randy, you are the perfect choice,” she finally said.
“From your perspective. Think about it from the average citizen or the military’s view. I don’t think they are too pleased. They just sort of assumed they would continue in control. Suddenly a civilian is giving the final orders. I don’t think they are going to be too cooperative if something happens to the Colonel,” Randy said.
“But Randy. You were in charge of getting everyone to come here. You risked your life for many of these people. The satellite link was under your leadership. Who else has done more than you?”
“How about Lieutenant Miller or Lieutenant Forbs? Talk about taking risks. They have gone out and put their rears on the line for this place. Not just once either. One of them is who I think should be in charge,” Randy said.
“Being able to go to war and being able to see what has to be done in the bigger picture are two entirely different things.”
“Rach, I’m not qualified,” he said raising his voice slightly. I’m not the big picture person the Colonel is. Hell, I don’t even know what to do with the REPSAT system now that it’s operating.”
“You don’t have to. You get others to do that part. You got it operational, after that you simply pass it on to someone else who understands its capabilities. What Colonel Webber accomplished was with the help of a lot of good people, and you were right there with him. Don’t sell yourself short. If you have one major flaw, it is not believing you can accomplish anything you set out to do. You didn’t think you could get the REPSAT up and running but you did,” she said.
“Not the same thing by a long shot. No one died if it didn’t work. No one would go hungry or be without housing. Hell, Ben did that while I was out farting around in the countryside. When you get right down to it, I haven’t done a hell of a lot.”
“Randy Boling. That is an out and out prevarication.”
“Oh crap Rachel. Knock it off. I know what I am,” he said heatedly.
They sat for several seconds both lost in thought.
“Sorry,” Randy said at last.
“For what?” Rachel said.
“Blowing off.”
“It’s part of the deal. I come home and blow off and then you take your turn. It’s what keeps us sane.”
“Really? I thought this is what kept me sane,” he said, trying to unbutton her blouse.
“You are a bad boy, Randy Boling.”
“You bet. I could be talked into being really bad. Just a little encouragement is all it would take.”
Just then Sophie started to cry.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
USA
“Now you all know. This is my decision and I expect each and every one of you to abide by it. You will lend your full support and by God, I had better never hear about anyone trying to countermand my orders.
I have agonized over how to best secure our future and this was the best possible way. In the event that I can no longer remain in charge he will be the Commander-in-Chief. Just like the President was the Commander-in-Chief and we answered to him. You will carry on that tradition. Is that perfectly clear to every one of you?” Colonel Webber said.
All eight acknowledged affirmative.
“Good. Now let’s get on with the business at hand. This break off group, they want to strike out on their own. As we talked about before, we can’t do much to stop them and we shouldn’t. They have the right to go wherever they want. We are not however obligated to supply them with transportation, food or medical supplies. When they leave they are on their own. Does anyone have a problem with that?” Webber asked.
“What about gold and other precious metals. What are we going to do about that Colonel?” Captain Sims asked.
“My initial thought was to send a convoy to get the gold in Fort Knox but I doubt that is really practical. We could send a team to protect the area but even then it would be a hell of a risk. Bottom line, I’m not sure what to do and will listen to any suggestions.”
For the next half hour they tossed out ideas and everyone contributed except Randy.
“Randy? You haven’t said a thing. What’s on your mind?”
“Dr. Rinehart.”
“What about him?”
“I was thinking that maybe he could protect the area by remote.”
“I’m not following you.”
“Suppose he could rig explosive devices that could be activated from here or when an alarm was broken. He is a genius at that sort of thing so why not put him to work on it. Keeping guards there won’t ensure the gold’s safety. When you are talking about that much anything can happen.”
Webber and the others didn’t respond.
“Too impractical?” he finally asked.
“No. Actually it is quite brilliant. We wouldn’t have to keep troops stationed in the area and the gold would still be adequately protected. Would you mind talking to him about this?”
“Sure. Not a problem. He may be able to do it for other areas as well. Wall Street, the mints. Places that have precious metals that we will want to protect.”
“Excellent. I’ll leave that up to you then. So, about the group wanting to leave. We will let them go just as soon as we have developed a security system to protect our gold supply.”
After the meeting ended Captain Richardson and Captain Sims met outside.
“So what do you think?”
“Crock of shit. Taking orders from a civilian. I don’t think that is going to settle too well with my people.”
“Still, it’s what the Colonel wants.”
“What he wants and what he gets may be two different things. If he can’t do his job then I see it as up for grabs. The hell with the Boling guy. He is too much of a thinker and talker for my liking. Doesn’t like Capital Punishment, wants to talk everyone to death instead of kicking some ass. He isn’t who we need as a leader,” Richardson said.
“So you are?”
“I’m a hell of a lot more qualified than that wussie.”
“I wouldn’t go saying that very loud. You might just find yourself in shit up to your eyeballs.”
“From who? Boling? I’d like to see him try,” he said.
“I’m just saying be damned careful.”
“You worry too much,” Richardson said walking off.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
USA
“Sir, we have the first photos from Russia and Europe. I know you have been anxious to see them.”
“You’re certainly right about that. Tell Sargent Larkin to get the staff,” Colonel Webber said.
“Right away Colonel.”
Thirty minutes later they were all assembled.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, we just received the first batch of photos from the Kronos Satellite. They are still working on fine tuning the enhancement capabilities but even so it is clear to see that this is indeed worldwide. Run the program Sargent,” Webber said.
The first shot was of England. You could clearly see the cars and busses on sidewalks, crashed into each other and toward the Parliament building you could see a few people milling around.
“This was taken on the first pass and this one on the next pass,” the Colonel told them. A few more people had gathered around the building.
“Now here is France. See all the people around the center of Paris? They obviously came through better than England. How much better is impossible to tell. The next one is Russia. Look at Moscow. See down here,” he said pointing to a long line of trucks, “I have no idea what that is all about but they are heading toward Moscow. Moscow has quite a number of people but this group down here looks mighty big as well.”
“Maybe they have been someplace else and finally decided to head to Mosc
ow.”
“That certainly seems like a good possibility. If we could just get a little more resolution we could tell more about what is going on,” Webber replied.
“This is even more interesting. This is Beijing. Look up here. Those are Chinese military personnel. Look over here to the left and down slightly. See that,” he said pointing. “That is a hell of a large group as well. From what we have seen they aren’t moving but they sure aren’t far from Beijing. There are no major towns in that area so why they are there is a mystery.”
He went through each of the slides pointing out various cities and areas where the population seemed to almost be extinct.
“Some people had to have survived in the Pacific Rim area. They can’t all have perished,” Captain Simss said.
“I have to agree but I think they are going to be a lot more scattered out. Did you see Hong Kong? I didn’t see a single person on any of the streets,” Webber said.
“So now what do we do with this information?”
“We are just going to watch and wait for now but eventually we will try to reach each of these countries now that we know none of them caused this.”
“We don’t know that for sure,” Richardson said.
“Not for an absolute fact but I think it’s safe to say they certainly didn’t launch it against us. Every major power is in the same boat we are in. We all have to start over.”
“I’m not so sure,” Richardson mumbled.
Webber ignored the remark. His head was hurting and he didn’t want to get into a big debate over something so silly.
“Randy can you bring us up to speed on the other problem we have been working on?”
“Dr. Rinehart has come up with a simple but effective plan to protect the major areas of concern. He is going to have a sound barrier installed that will act not only as a debilitating energy pulse but it will also alert us the moment someone breaks the field. They are easy to put up and no one will know they are there. We will have the deactivation codes here but no one else will have access to them,” he told them.
“I don’t see that being very effective,” Richardson said.
“There is another part that I am unwilling to share at the time. It is a back-up device that if anyone attempts to override it, well let’s just say they won’t try but once,” he said.
Richardson just rolled his eyes. Webber saw him in his peripheral vision but held his rising temper in check.
“That’s it for now. We will have more photos tomorrow and maybe it will give us a clearer picture of what is going on worldwide.”
Everyone stood to leave but Webber stopped Richardson and said, “I want a word with you.”
He stopped Randy as he was going out the door as well. He waited until they had all left before he started.
“Captain Richardson. I understand that you don’t think my choice of replacement is very good. That’s fine. I have no problem with differences of opinion. What I do have a problem with is your attitude and your apparent lack of respect for me and this office. That is something I will not tolerate. Not for one second. If you are stupid enough to think I would let some rag ass Captain countermand my orders you are dumber than I thought. I have considered having you removed from this committee but for now you can stay. Furthermore, if I even hear a whisper about what you think you are going to do after I turn this over to Mr. Boling I will have you taken out and shot. Is..that..perfectly..clear?”
“I don’t know who…”
“Stop. I have it from two separate sources. Seems like your mouth is bigger than your brains and several people overheard a conversation with Captain Sims. I intend to have a similar conversation with him as well. Mr. Boling if one word gets back to you or anyone else, I want this handled immediately and in the harshest terms. Understand?”
“I do, Colonel.”
“You are dismissed Captain,” Webber said.
“Sir I..”
“Get out of here this instant,” Webber said raising his voice.
As soon as he was gone the Colonel sat down in a chair holding his head.
“Bad?”
“That didn’t help any. That little bastard was planning to just waltz in and take over after I’m gone. That little man is trouble. Keep a close eye on him. If he even hints at starting trouble you get him the hell out of Colorado. Take him to Mexico or wherever you want just so he never comes back.”
“But I don’t really have to have him shot.”
“I would, but you can do what you like.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHINA
“You took quite a beating,” Tay said, looking at Ky’s face.
“It wasn’t as bad as some I took at the mines.”
“What is this General Tusan like?”
“Arrogant.”
“All Generals are arrogant. What I am asking is if you were able to convince him we were coming from the north,” Tay said.
“Yes. I am sure he will pull the troops over to the north and east to protect the city. His men are well armed but if they are facing the wrong direction it won’t make any difference,” Ky replied.
“Do we have enough men to overpower them?”
“In a straight on, head to head battle? No. The element of surprise will give us the edge we need.”
“It is still a very big risk, but what other options do we have?”
“We could just leave well enough alone. Go to a remote area and continue to rebuild.”
“And what would that gain us in the long run? They will still expand and become stronger. We will always be on the run. Do you think they will just welcome us back into society after we broke out of Beijing? Soldiers were killed. They do not forget such things. They will kill all of us.”
“If they find us.”
“They will. They will not stay as they are. Soon they will get the city going again and start to spread out like a disease. I do not want to run from them for the rest of my life. I do not want to have my future children hunted down like a pack of dogs.”
“Tay, I understand your feelings but so few of us survived. It seems wrong to start the killing so soon. Every one that lived is blessed and we should all be thankful that we are given another chance.”
“I agree with your sentiment but the reality is that nothing has changed. If we do not fight them now, we will have to do so later when they are even more dangerous. It is better to get this over with and then start to rebuild,” Tay said.
“I do not like it,” Ky replied
Tay sat in silence for several moments and then said, “I have not said anything to the others yet but I want to ask you something.”
“What is it you wish to ask?”
“I have been thinking and maybe you are right. I have thought of another plan that may help.”
“Another plan? What do you mean?” Ky asked.
“I want your blessing to go into Beijing and see if I can reason with this General Tusan.”
“Have you lost your mind? Look at me. Do I look like someone who has been reasoned with? They do not care about talk. All they want to do is remain in power. They will not negotiate with you or anyone else. Tay, they will kill you before you ever get to see Tusan. I was beaten long before I was taken to see him. Even then it wasn’t exactly a friendly visit,” Ky told him.
“I do not think they will harm me. You are young and a threat. I am elderly and pose no threat to them. I am not worried that I will be harmed. They have nothing to gain by hurting an old man.”
“You are wrong. They do not care if you are young or old. They have no honor and will surely beat or kill you,” Ky said.
“Even so, I think it is worth the risk. It is my life and I feel this is my duty. My contribution to humanity. I think you are right, killing will not solve the problem or help us to rebuild the country. China cannot afford to kill the few remaining survivors.”
“Tay. I beg you to not do this.”
“I must try. It does not concern the othe
rs. I will arrive at the city from the north east. They will have no reason to suspect I am with this group.”
“That is not my concern. I am fearful for what will happen to you.”
“I am honored that you hold me such esteem but Ky, this is what I must do.”
Kay looked at the old man. Neither his loose natural fold ch’ang-p’ao robe with its elaborate embroidered designs or his cylindricalpien hat would save him, of that Ky was sure, but there was nothing he could do to prevent his going.
“Tay, I know I can say nothing to make you change your mind but what about your people? Who will lead them?”
“That is why I am talking to you alone. I want you to take them into your fold and make sure they are cared for.”
“You know I cannot promise that. They may not even want to come with us. They may feel betrayed and want to leave on their own. I cannot force them to join us.”
“Do not worry about that. I have already spoken to them and they understand. They are in agreement that you are the most honorable of all the tribe leaders. They will come to you for guidance,” Tay said.
Ky looked at him stunned. They had differed on many subjects over the past and he often felt like Tay did not see him as a worthy leader. Now he was asking him to lead his people.
“I don’t know what to say. I am honored by your trust.”
“All you have to say is that you accept the responsibility. Nothing more is necessary,” Tay said.
“I will welcome them into our camp and do everything in my power to lead them as you would have,” Ky said.
“That is all I could ask of any man,” Tay said, bowing slightly.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHINA
“What do you want old man?” a guard asked poking him in the ribs with the muzzle of a Chicom AK-74.
“I am coming in peace. I want to see the famous General Tusan.
“You crazy old man. The General does not see anyone who wishes an audience with him. You will be taken to where the rest of the civilians are.”
THE BEGINNING Book Two (THE EVENT) Page 24