by Bobby Akart
Engineers were working to make the switchover, but in the meantime, local law enforcement was becoming overwhelmed with angry residents. Her first meeting, even before she learned of the details gathered by her team, was privately with Kregg Deur—adjutant general for the state of Texas and head of the Texas National Guard. She had total confidence and trust in Deur, not only because he had proven himself in times of natural disasters like hurricanes, but because he was a like-minded thinker when it came to the issue of secession.
“Kregg, before I meet with the rest of these folks, I have a question for you that we’ve never contemplated.”
“Of course, Governor,” said Deur. “I’ll answer it the best I can.”
“When we’ve discussed the prospects of secession in the past, it has always been under the assumption that a political struggle would occur in the State House here in Austin, and then later with the politicians in Washington who’d resist us.”
“Right,” he interrupted. “We both agreed that a power play like the Confederate states pulled a hundred fifty years ago would never work in this day and age.”
She nodded. “Mainly because their army is bigger than our army, right?”
“No doubt, ma’am.”
“Kregg,” she hesitated briefly before continuing, “what if Washington and its powerful army was distracted as we made our move? What if we decided to circle the wagons around our borders first, and then give them the bad news that we’re pulling out of the union? Have you ever given that any thought?”
Deur stood and walked across the room, slowly parting the curtains to observe the activity in the SOC. “I have not, but sometimes you can tell what a person is thinking by the questions they ask. If our information is correct, we’ve got power and they don’t. By they, I mean the whole dang country, Canada, and much of Mexico.”
“Why should a prepared Texas take on the burdens of an unprepared Washington?” she asked rhetorically.
“Arguably, other than being Good Samaritans, we shouldn’t,” Deur replied. “What are you suggesting?”
Governor Burnett hesitated because once the words came out of her mouth, there might be no turning back. “Close our borders.”
“Marion, we’re old friends,” started Deur. “Don’t get me wrong, I never considered our discussions surrounding the secessionist movement as pie in the sky. By the same token, I didn’t consider leaving the Union as being likely. That said, this is the perfect opportunity to make that play.”
“Think about it, Kregg. We’ve got the perfect opportunity to take advantage of an inexperienced president who is probably swimming in crisis-management decisions. She’s got to worry about the safety and well-being of American citizens. Not to mention the fact that somebody, probably North Korea, has just started world war three.”
Deur rubbed his hands together and looked at his palms. “I can’t disagree with any of that, but it seems borderline treasonous to leave the nation under these circumstances.”
“Even if it is in the best interests of all Texans?” she interrupted. “Listen, I’m not trying to kick America while she’s down. But I’ve spent months on the campaign trail talking about Texas being strong and free. I firmly believe the majority of our fellow Texans would agree we should protect our own first.”
“Okay, let’s say you decide to secede, you’ve still got to convince the legislature, which is not in session.”
The governor immediately responded, “I’ve already got my chief of staff arranging for an emergency session, regardless of whether the secession topic is to be raised. It’ll send the message to our constituents that we’re in control of the situation.”
Deur ran his fingers through his thick hair and massaged his forehead before he continued. “You wanna know from me how we’d close our borders, don’t you?”
“How do we secure them from masses of people entering like we did along the Rio Grande and the Mexican border?”
“I think it’s twenty-eight hundred miles, give or take, if you take out the twelve hundred miles of common border with Mexico, which is secured already. We’re a big state. This ain’t Rhode Island.”
Governor Burnett pressed him for an answer. She needed to meet with the rest of the team. “Can it be done?”
“I think so,” he began. “Off the top of my head, we could reduce agents on the southern border with Mexico. The Gulf Coast could be protected by supplementing our existing resources with local law enforcement. From Beaumont around the Panhandle down to El Paso is the real challenge. We can create closings at the major interstate crossings first. There are seven of those. Follow that with creating roadblocks at the twenty or so state and federal highways. Yeah, it could be done.”
“What about the gaps in between the roads?” asked the governor before adding, “Most of these refugees will be streaming in on foot, bicycle, horse, and lord knows what kind of transportation they’ll use.”
“We’ve got the benefit of the rivers along Louisiana and Oklahoma to help us. In the Panhandle and West Texas counties, we’ll need a lot of help.”
Governor Burnett smiled as she began to realize her lofty goals of the past might come to fruition. “I know where to get help for the rural counties. We’ll call upon the ranchers.”
“Marion, there are a lot of other considerations, but you’ve got the basics to make a decision.”
The governor stood and made her way to the door of the conference room to allow the rest of her team to enter. “Keep this under your hat, Kregg. I haven’t decided if this is the right thing to do, and I need to get the total picture. Agreed?”
“Of course, not a word.”
Chapter 16
November 26
Raven Rock Mountain Complex
Liberty Township, Pennsylvania
“Thank you all for reconvening on short notice,” started President Harman as her cabinet members and key military leaders took their seats. It was standing room only, as the president insisted upon all of her top advisors being present. “I have been in contact with key leaders in Europe, Russia, Israel, and Southeast Asia. There are some developments, which I’ll relay to you in a moment. But first, any minute now, Kim Jong-un, in what is most likely a recorded address, will broadcast a statement from Pyongyang.”
“Madam President,” interrupted Acton, “the broadcast has started.”
An image appeared on the screen with a caption generated by the State Department. Kim Jong-un was staring at the camera holding the text of his speech. As he read, his expression never changed. He displayed no outward emotion, but his words were full of anger and condemnation.
He began. “Just after the release of retribution upon the United States of America, I contacted the leaders of South Korea, Japan, China, and Russia through diplomatic channels. I advised them that the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Islamic Republic of Iran had detonated a superpowerful electromagnetic pulse over the skies of the United States.
“I told these leaders that many countries had been allowed to build, test, and maintain nuclear weapons while we have not. As other nations in the world were allowed—no, encouraged—to expand their nuclear arsenals, the nations of North Korea and Iran were told no.
“This was a decision I did not take lightly. After consultation with the government in Iran, we found this action necessary to protect the people of Iran and North Korea from the burdensome sanctions that cause famine and death in our countries. The actions of the United States were tantamount to a total economic blockade of our country. These sanctions imposed on our countries constituted an act of war!
“The electromagnetic pulse was used intentionally to avoid death to the American people. I do not hold them accountable for the actions of their leaders. However, the American people must learn to suffer as our people have suffered. The oppressive United States must learn a lesson from the decades of economic burdens placed upon Iran and North Korea. Nothing more.
“Let the American people learn t
o live without power and the unnecessary things that fill their homes and driveways. Let them understand what life is like to fish and forage for food. And let them know what it is like to live in fear as military powers threaten them daily, as our people have been threatened.
“My message to the American people is this. At one time, I promised to bring irrevocable disaster and disgrace upon your country. I have shown restraint. We mean no harm to you, which is why we didn’t use our greatest weapons. But now, you can see how our two countries live. Now you can turn to your political leaders and say you caused this!
“Finally, here is a word to those in Washington, Tel Aviv, Seoul, and Tokyo who might consider retaliating against our countries. Do not continue your self-destructive ways. If you escalate this into a military conflict by attempting an attack upon our countries, we will turn you and your people into a pile of ash. The days are gone forever when our enemies can blackmail us with their nuclear bombs.
“It is true the military might of a country represents its national strength. It is only when it builds up its military might in every way can it develop into a thriving country. Today, we are on an equal playing field with the United States, both militarily and socioeconomically. What the future brings our nations will depend on America.”
The monitor went black and then turned to gray. The sound of static continued to echo throughout the room after Acton turned off the television.
The president let out a sigh and motioned to Acton. “Charles, is there any way to get some air in this room? Or open the doors and post guards in the hallway to keep our conversations from leaking out.”
“I’ll look into it,” said Acton as he left the room. The president held her hand up and paused while Acton made the arrangements.
The blood began to boil inside Secretary Gregg. In a way, he’d dodged a bullet, so to speak. Kim made no reference to the assassination attempt, which was probably the real catalyst for the EMP attack. That was something Gregg would have to live with for the rest of his life.
Now that Kim had fired off the first salvo, it was time to end this. Instead, he could feel he was destined for some kind of Kumbaya focus-group session where they all talked about how this made each other feel. He could feel the bile rising into his throat.
Chapter 17
November 26
Raven Rock Mountain Complex
Liberty Township, Pennsylvania
The president grew impatient waiting for Acton’s return, so she started the discussion.
“There will be plenty of time to decode Kim’s statement through State and the CIA. I’m interested in everyone’s initial reaction. Carla, you first.”
Pickering spoke on behalf of Homeland Security. “My initial reaction is that this is over unless we escalate matters. In Kim’s mind, he has leveled the playing field between our countries. He’s forced us to live as a third-world country just as the Iranians and North Koreans have lived for centuries.”
“Madam Secretary?” The president turned to Jane Tompkins, the Secretary of State.
“The State Department’s official position remains unchanged,” Secretary Tompkins began. “An EMP attack, which most in this room consider an act of war, does not give rise to immediate loss of life other than through transportation accidents. We can recover and rebuild from this. A nuclear attack is significantly more lethal in both terms of human loss and environmental impact from the radiation fallout.”
President Harman nodded and turned to Secretary Gregg. “Monty?”
He didn’t hesitate or hold back. “We annihilate them! We leave no building standing and no bunker in place.”
“But innocent lives—” Secretary Tompkins started to plead for restraint before Secretary Gregg shouted her down.
“You don’t think people are gonna die in this country? Have you not read the numerous reports from the EMP Commission? Ninety percent! Ninety percent of the American people will likely die in the coming year. Innocent lives, as you call them. I don’t give a tinker’s damn about North Koreans. They have to pay for what they’ve done to our great nation!”
Acton came running into the room and closed the door behind him. “You’ve got to keep your voices down. This isn’t the White House. Please.”
“Yes, Monty, please,” admonished the president. “This is an open discussion designed to help me reach a decision. We need to respect one another’s observations and opinions just like we’d hope they’d respect yours.”
Secretary Gregg simply nodded and stopped speaking. He was mad at himself for the outburst. He knew better than to let others know what he was thinking.
President Harman said, “Okay, let me tell you what I’ve gleaned from my conversations with world leaders today. Monty, let me say Prime Minister Netanyahu agrees with you. He’s simply waiting for me to give him the word and he’ll crush Iran. The new king of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman, agrees, resulting in a rare accord between the Kingdom and Israel.
“That said, however, the key nations in Southeast Asia, China, South Korea, and Japan are firmly against a retaliatory strike.”
“Madam President, with all due respect—” interrupted Secretary Gregg before she shut him down.
“Monty, there’s no need to go on. I said the same thing you’re about to say. Seoul and Tokyo seem pretty ungrateful. Trust me when I say, and Charles will confirm this, I told them this in not-so-diplomatic terms earlier.”
Secretary Gregg nodded and stopped talking, again cursing himself for his outburst.
“There’s an additional complication, as the Russians have inserted themselves into the situation,” said the president. “After Putin learned of the attack, he immediately called leaders in London, Berlin, Brussels, and Paris. He told them, in no uncertain terms, to stand down and to encourage us to do so as well.”
Or what? Secretary Gregg screamed in his head this time, allowing himself a slight smile for his restraint.
“Madam President,” began Pickering, “perhaps we should take Kim at his word and focus on taking care of Americans at this time. If this is over, we can pull together, with the aid of the United Nations, and rebuild. Maybe this horrific act was what it took to bring the world together as one and put decades of hostilities behind us.”
Secretary Gregg wondered if his face was turning blue from holding his breath. The president, Pickering, and Tompkins continued to talk in terms of recovery and strength through peace and loving one another. Secretary Gregg kept repeating one word over and over again in his head.
Texas.
Chapter 18
November 26
Deerfoot Inn & Casino
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Not surprisingly, Palmer had slipped in and out of their hotel room several times over the course of the day and the guys were never awakened. Fortunately, the escalating emotions displayed by people hanging out in the lobby kept them occupied and drew them away from guest rooms with propped-open doors.
As she explored the upper floors of the Deerfoot Inn, she found the vending machines located in the hotel, which were full of typical snacks like chips and candies. However, the Canadian vendors had added trail mix, protein bars, and combination packaged items like tuna lunch kits.
Palmer didn’t have an inner moral debate, nor did she hesitate, when she took the back end of her Buck Woodsman fixed-blade knife and gently cracked the glass on the second-floor vending machine. After a quick glance to determine if she’d been heard, Palmer quickly removed the Planters Sunflower Kernels, packs of Jack Link’s Beef Jerky, Nature Valley and Quaker Oats bars, and Planters peanuts.
She shoved them into a trash bag she’d brought from the hotel room. Again, avoiding discovery, she had returned to the room for a total of six trips, procuring all of the healthy snacks from the upper floors and then returning to the lower floors to gather the unhealthy comfort foods as well. As the guys stirred awake after her last trip, a pile of vending machine products awaited them on the floor.
“Yeah, I left the raisin cookies. I hate raisins. They make me feel shriveled up.”
“Hey, are those Cheetos?” asked Riley.
Palmer reached down and tossed the bag of Crunchy Cheetos on his bed. She sent a Kit Kat bar flying in the general direction of Cooper, who seemed dazed as he processed her haul.
The guys enjoyed their snack, and Palmer relayed what she’d learned. She opened the curtains to reveal the snowfall, which had tapered off. The bright reflective light drew moans from the guys, which Palmer ignored.
“Most everyone is gathered in the lobby, speculating as to what’s happened,” she began. “Most think it was a nuclear attack. Surprisingly few even knew what an EMP was. Somebody tried to explain how it worked, but they got it wrong. I just stayed out of it.”
“I’m just curious, but did anybody mention cyber attack?” asked Cooper.
“One guy did, but he was immediately shot down because the mob said the lights could be restored right away after a cyber attack.”
“Idiots,” muttered Cooper.
Palmer nodded. “I agree. I stayed out of it. I was mainly eavesdropping to see what I could learn, but I was more focused on picking up anything of use.”
“This is a lot of food, good work, sis,” said Riley.
“Well, I hit the hotel kitchen, too,” said Palmer. “I kinda flirted with a cute guy who was supposed to be watching over their food supply. I talked him into making me a sandwich. While he walked away, I loaded up my pockets.”
Cooper started laughing as he admired his sister. “You’re cracking me up! Whadya get?”
Palmer turned around to the desk under the wall-mounted television and began to reveal her loot. “Two butcher knives and a couple of knife sharpeners. Also, forks and spoons.”