by C A Bird
Mark laid there in the dark and wondered what just happened?
“Deal.”
***
The next day dawned cool and clear but Mark knew it would warm up quick. Skillet provided some dehydrated food for breakfast and it was decided that Mark would leave just after noon.
Good to their word, Jack and Brendon showed up in a battered, old Ford. They had no idea where the military personnel were quartered so they let him off at the front gate. Lori insisted on accompanying him that far. She held him tight. “Don’t take any chances and keep your hands visible.”
He kissed her and turned to Jack. “Good luck, man,” Jack said, as he stuck out his hand. “I hope they don’t shoot first and ask questions later.”
Brendon slapped him on the back as he headed for the gate.
Mark walked through the gate onto Vandenberg Air Force Base with his hands in the air. One hundred yards into the base he paused and waited.
Nothing happened.
His arms got tired, so he lowered them and continued to walk down the road. There were barracks along the inside of the wide perimeter road. What had once been well-trimmed lawns were now weed patches. An on-shore breeze ruffled his hair and cooled the sweat that lined his forehead and trickled down his back. Palm trees lined the road, separating it from the parking area in front of the barracks.
Stopping and listening, the only sounds he heard were the wind, and the sounds of gulls and cormorants calling to one another. The smell of salt was in the air. A jackrabbit bounded across the road and he started forward again, wondering where the military hung out. The sun beat down as he hoofed it another couple of miles devoid of buildings or other signs of civilization. He finally saw buildings in the distance. Up ahead he could see what appeared to be a barrier across the road. He figured the military was using the western portion of the base and had set up a secondary gate just ahead.
He stopped again, thinking this might be his last chance to turn around and head back to Lompoc, back to Lori and his friends… but it was too late. A vehicle that morphed into a jeep as it materialized out of the heat shimmer on the road, came speeding toward him. He couldn’t see too well but it soon became clear that three soldiers had military assault rifles pointing in his direction.
The jeep slowed and approached cautiously. It turned sideways across the lane and one of the men in the front shouted out to him.
“Stop where you are.” He didn’t need to tell Mark to put his hands in the air, as he had done so when the car was still one hundred yards away. “Who are you?” he called as he jumped out and approached Mark, the airman in the back seat jumping out right behind him.
“I’m unarmed,” he told them. “Name’s Mark Teller. I’d like to talk to someone in charge. I’ve come from New Mexico and would like to report the conditions to him.”
The lieutenant swept his head in Mark’s direction and the airman, slinging his rifle over his back, ran forward to frisk Mark for weapons. “He’s clean, sir.” He quickly backed away and retrieved his weapon, again pointing it at Mark.
“It’s been a long, hot journey. I could use some shade and some water. My bottle’s empty.”
“I’m Lieutenant Darrow. Get in the jeep.” The lieutenant climbed in the front and the airman slid in beside Mark. They pushed their rifles onto their backs where Mark would have no opportunity to seize them, but Mark noticed the lieutenant held his service pistol in his lap.
There was no conversation as they sped through the makeshift gate and drove toward the coast. Pulling up in front of a large concrete and glass building, the airman jumped clear of the jeep and covered him as he followed Darrow into the building. He was searched more thoroughly this time, by a senior airman, and led into a reception area with desks and railings.
Photographs of military aircraft, fighter jets, stealth bombers and a large picture of a Saturn rocket covered the walls. A portrait of President Rissman was hung next to an American flag, flanked by photos of an Air Force General that Mark assumed was the Commander of the base. This part of the building was completely enclosed by windows, and brightened by the afternoon sunlight. It didn’t feel dangerous.
The young airman brought him a cup of water as Lieutenant Darrow exited into a hallway leading toward the rear of the building. A senior airman, the one that had searched him, and a staff sergeant stood by the double glass door they had entered through. Their weapons were leveled at his gut.
The airman edged over to him. “I’m Airman Tunney,” he said, keeping his voice low. “What’s it like out there? Is anyone alive? I’m from Phoenix. Were you there?”
“I’m sorry. We didn’t come through Phoenix but there are communities starting to come back in New Mexico.”
The sound of footsteps halted their exchange as the young man stepped quickly away. The lieutenant came out of the hallway followed by four uniformed men, a Navy Captain, a Navy Lieutenant Commander, an Air Force Colonel and an Air Force Major. The colonel walked over and stuck out his hand toward Mark. “I’m Colonel Packer, the Commanding Officer of Vandenberg. This is…” but he got no further as the captain stepped around him.
“Mark Teller?” He stuck out his hand and pumped Mark’s vigorously.
“Richard, I don’t believe it! I never expected to meet someone I know.”
Dombrowski turned to Colonel Packer. “This is Mark Teller. He and Will Hargraves were on the President’s Civilian Advisory Board. I’ve known them both for years since before I started driving boats. Hargraves’ company had numerous dealings with the Navy.”
Colonel Packer waved at the guards and they put away their weapons. “Please,” he motioned to the hallway, “join us in my office. We need to debrief you and find out what you know about Lompoc.”
Mark was a little taken aback by the gruff attitude. He was a civilian, and didn’t report to Colonel Packer.
As they entered the office, an airman came through a side door with a cart loaded with coffee and pastries. Mark’s eyes lit up at the sight and aroma of the fresh, brewed coffee. He’d had a cup at Carla’s but he never seemed to get enough.
When they were settled, Mark spoke up first, “So Richard, how is it that you’re here on an Air Force Base?”
“As you probably know, most of the West Coast has been destroyed, or is radioactive. There are no ports left capable of handling a sub.”
“A sub? You still have a submarine?” Mark was astonished.
“I do. We have to dock off shore at one of the oil rigs. We have a couple of powerboats that are still operational, that bring us up the coast to the Vandenberg docks. We are most fortunate that Vandenberg wasn’t hit. Colonel Packer has taken us in and helped us to re-supply.”
Colonel Packer frowned at Dombrowski, “Captain, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to share too much information. We don’t know this man’s status after two years.”
“Mark has above top secret clearance.”
“Well, he doesn’t have a need to know.”
“Benjamin, we need all the help we can get.”
Packer didn’t seem convinced as he glared at Mark.
“If you don’t mind my asking, Colonel, shouldn’t there be a higher ranking officer over the base?”
Colonel Packer was annoyed by the comment but covered it quickly. Who the hell does this civilian think he is?
“The Base Commanding Officer and three of his subordinates were in the air when the first bombs hit. We had a radio transmission saying their engine had quit and their instruments had failed. They were going to try and glide down but we never heard from them again. After spending the first eight months in the base bunker, we emerged to find that I was the ranking officer. We have only just reestablished communication with the east and the president has assured me he is going to promote me to a rank commensurate with the responsibilities of the base commander.”
“Wait… wait a minute. Did you say the president?”
“Yes, the president is alive and reestablishing
the government.”
Dombrowski added, “They’re in Charleston, West Virginia. There seem to be a few members of Congress who survived as well.”
“That’s wonderful news,” Mark said. “Eagle Nest, Raton and Farmington all have communities that are recovering from the war. There must be many such places, and that means that with the government in place we have a real chance to bring back the United States.”
Colonel Packer stood. “We have a call with the president in an hour. Mr. Teller, you will remain here, under guard, until we return. We’ll debrief you then and you can return to your people.”
Dombrowski unfolded his lanky frame from the chair and looked down on Packer. “He’s going with me, Benjamin. He’s an old friend and the Navy is offering him its hospitality.”
Packer was furious but bit his lip. It wouldn’t do any good to antagonize the captain at this time. The president would set him straight when Teller was gone.
“Very well, let’s get moving.”
33
Captain Dombrowski, Colonel Packer and Mark, along with several sailors, climbed aboard a twenty foot, fiberglass skiff tied off to a dock that ran out into a small bay. The dock was guarded by navy personnel who had saluted as the officers went through the gate. Green, scummy water lapped a concrete walkway that ran perpendicular to the wooden dock at the water’s edge. At low tide, the walkway was probably well above the water line. Mark saw a sunken rowboat on the left side of the dock.
Powered by two outboard motors, the boat sped through the cold, Pacific waters at sixteen knots, the spray flying up from the bow on either side, a light mist hitting Mark in the face as he reveled at being on the ocean he loved. It reminded him of earlier days before the Great War.
Many of his teen years had been spent with Chris and their friends sailing on Will Hargraves’ yacht, or the much smaller skiing boat, motoring around the Pacific without a care in the world. But even though he loved the ocean and the boats, he loved aviation more. Following Will Hargraves footsteps he attended The University of Southern California, studying hard to become an aeronautical engineer and then going on to graduate school to obtain his Master’s degree in business.
Hard work and dedication had led to becoming the CEO of Hargraves’ multi-billion dollar, aerospace company. Life was sweet, with a great job he loved, a beautiful home, his running buddies, and a hangar filled with antique aircraft. But that life hadn’t included Lori and the kids, and he knew the life he had now was more real and infinitely better.
The boat bounced over tiny whitecaps as it approached the oil rig from the northeast. Now, beyond the rig, Mark could see the deck and conning tower of a huge submarine. He was awed at the size.
My God. It’s beautiful. The skiff slowed and drifted through the struts of the oil rig, pulling up to a small dock, free-floating on the surface of the water. One of the sailors jumped to the dock, tying off the boat and standing at attention, as Dombrowski, Packer and Mark followed him off the boat. They climbed up an unending series of stairs a hundred feet into the interior of the facility.
The group entered a large office that Capt. Dombrowski was using as his base of operations. “How have you been Mark? You want some coffee?”
“I’d love some. Richard, this is just incredible. I never thought I’d meet someone I’d known before the war.”
“Yeah, well I couldn’t believe it either when Colonel Packer’s men brought you to us over on the base. So Mark, where have you been?” He poured coffee for the two men and noticed that Packer seemed very unhappy. Can he be that upset over Mark’s coming to the platform?
“Like I said, I’ve actually been living in New Mexico. Over two hundred of us spent almost eight months in what everyone called ‘Will’s Folly.’ I guess it wasn’t such a Folly after all. We all made it through the war and the first winter before we had to leave the shelter.”
“How is Will? What a great guy.”
The look on Mark’s face indicated to Richard the answer wasn’t good.
“He didn’t make it Richard. We were forced to leave the shelter. There were earthquakes caused by instability due to the hydrogen bombs. During our escape Will was killed in a cave in.”
“I’m so sorry. I seem to remember that Will was your mentor. Do you remember the meeting in Washington where we talked about equipping the fleet with Will’s new sonar device? Will and I had a long conversation and he told me your story. What about his son and daughter?”
“It’s a long story Richard. After the president’s call, if you’ve got the time and the coffee, I’ll fill you in.”
***
“Capt. Dombrowski, we’ve reestablished communication with the East Coast. Ensign Santana has the president on the radio for you sir.”
“Thanks, Johnson. Come on, gentlemen.” They stood and moved toward the doorway. “You know the president. Right? He’s going to want to speak with you.” They walked out onto a companionway and up another flight of stairs, where they entered a room crammed full of communications gear. The captain slipped into a chair in front of a microphone, flipping a switch on the console.
“Charleston?”
“I’m here, Captain Dombrowski,” was heard through a burst of static.
“President Rissman, it’s great to hear from you again sir.”
“Yes, Captain. Good to hear from you as well. Please, tell me how the mission went.”
“Yes sir. We engaged the enemy just the other side of the Hawaiian Islands. We were able to determine that they were sending a large number of vessels toward the United States. There were dozens of military vessels escorting four cruise ships, that we can only assume were carrying a large number of civilians to occupy the United States. We…”
“Did you destroy them Captain?”
“We did sir. We withdrew one thousand miles to the east to ensure we were not in proximity when we launched our missiles.”
“You are sure you got them all?”
“I am certain, sir. Unfortunately, they stopped at the Hawaiian Islands to refuel. We had to hit Pearl Harbor to take them out. We returned to within a safe distance and checked thoroughly for signs that any of the Chinese fleet had survived. We spent over a week there and I can assure you, Mr. President, they have been destroyed.”
He looked up at Mark, grinning with a triumphal smile. “Then, sir, we sailed to within a hundred miles of the Coast of China between the Philippines and Japan. We started to encounter high radiation at that point. We cruised both north and south of that position and did not detect any additional vessels. I sincerely believe the Chinese threat is ended for good. Or at least for many, many years.”
Mark was astounded that the sub still had weapons, and was blown away that they had engaged the Chinese in a continuation of the war. He thought the president seemed agitated, requiring repeated assurances that the Chinese fleet had been destroyed. The man had undoubtedly been through a lot since the war and felt a great responsibility to continue to protect the country from her enemies.
“I will file a complete report regarding this matter, sir. Mr. President, I have some other good news. Earlier today, Mark Teller of Hargraves Aerospace Company walked onto Vandenberg Air Force Base. He’s been living in New Mexico and just made his way across country to California.”
“What a pleasant surprise. Put him on Captain.” Dombrowski stood to allow Mark to sit at the microphone.
“Hello Mr. President. I can’t tell you how glad I am that you have survived and are in control of the country. How is it going, sir?”
“Mark, Mark Teller. It’s so good to hear your voice. Is Hargraves with you?”
“I’m sorry, sir, but Will was killed in an unfortunate accident. We were forced out of his shelter, where we’d stayed during the war and for several months afterward. Instability created by the bombs caused a series of earthquakes and we were forced to evacuate.”
“I’m terribly sorry,” the president said sincerely. “Mark, I would love it if you cou
ld come out to the East Coast and join my administration. I have several cabinet members and a number of members of Congress with me, but rebuilding the country is going to be a monumental undertaking and I could use your help. I remember that you, even though you’re a young man, had a tremendous amount of responsibility with Hargraves’ company and I was always impressed with your maturity.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s very tempting, but I have only just arrived in California and need some time to see what kind of damage there’s been here. Since the war, I’ve gotten married and have two stepchildren, and Lori would have to be part of any decision I make about our future.” Mark looked up at Dombrowski and shrugged his shoulders.
“Mark, I think if you realized how big a job we have before us, and the importance, you would be more willing to assist.”
“Well, no sir, I understand the scope of the task and the importance. I would certainly be willing to discuss a position in your administration once I’ve had an opportunity to get settled here.”
There was a long pause and Mark had begun to think they had lost the signal, when the president said, “Here’s the thing, Teller. We’ve made our headquarters in Charleston, West Virginia. We are determined to rebuild this country and Capt. Dombrowski has just freed us of the threat from China. Until we have the situation under control, I’m afraid I’ve had to declare a state of Martial Law throughout the United States. My word is law. We are bringing people from all over the East Coast and the South to West Virginia so they can help us rebuild.” There was another blast of static.
“Martial Law, sir? Exactly how does that work.”
“As you know Mark, the government has known for some time about the effects of electromagnetic pulses. We took steps to protect a number of military vehicles and weapons. We have the ability to bring the situation under control. Under complete control,” he stressed. “It’s only a matter of time. There are pockets of resistance here in the east and in the south. And I’m sure we will find concentrations of insurrectionists in other parts of the country when we move west. I have reports of rebels in Idaho, Utah and Montana. We will deal with them later. Colonel Packer and I have discussed how we will handle these dissidents.”